ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS

 

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd edition), #332 states, "Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples."

 

The Choir of Angels is divided into three triads with specific concerns: 

 

The 1st triad: Angels, Archangels, and Principalities: concern themselves with the minute ordering of the universe and specific causes, including the welfare of people. Each human being, each church, and each country has a Guardian Angel. The Feast of the Guardian Angels is October 2.

 

The 2nd triad: Powers, Virtues and Dominations: known as the "angels of creation," because they concern themselves with the ordering of the universe and a plurality of causes.

 

The 3rd triad: Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim: concern themselves with contemplating the glory of God. It is the 6-winged Seraphim who sings the Sanctus, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts" (cf: Isaiah 6:3).

 

THE SEVEN ARCHANGELS

 

Holy Scripture discloses there are seven Archangels (Tobit 12:15; Revelation 8:2, Revelation 8:6; Revelation 16:1-21). Three of the seven are specifically named in Holy Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

 

Michael (Daniel 9:21, Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7-9; CCC #335), whose name means, "Who is like God." According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, his Feast Day is September 29.

 

Gabriel (Daniel 8:16, Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26-38; CCC #332; CCC #335), whose name means, "Strength of God." According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, his Feast Day is March 24.

 

Raphael (Tobit 12:15; CCC #335), whose name means "Medicine of God." According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, his Feast Day is October 24.

 

The Catholic Church annually celebrates a combined Feast Day for Michael, Gabriel and Raphael on September 29.

 

The apocryphal Book of Enoch lists the other 4 Archangels: Jeramiel (variation), Raguel, Sariel and Uriel.

 

 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

 

(paragraphs #328-336)

 

The existence of angels - a truth of faith

328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

 

Who are they?

329 St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel.'"188 With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word".189

 

330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.190

 

Christ "with all his angels"

331 Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. . "191 They belong to him because they were created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him."192 They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?"193

 

332 Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples.194 Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.195

 

333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"196 Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!"197 They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been.198 Again, it is the angels who "evangelize" by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection.199 They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.200

 

The angels in the life of the Church

334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.201

 

335 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli. . .["May the angels lead you into Paradise. . ."]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).

 

336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202 "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."203 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

 

188 St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 103,1,15: PL 37,1348.

189 Mt 18:10; Ps 103:20.

190 Cf. Pius XII, Humani generis: DS 3891; Lk 20:36; Dan 10:9-12.

191 Mt 25:31.

192 Col 1:16.

193 Heb 1:14.

194 Cf. Job 38:7 (where angels are called "sons of God"); Gen 3:24; 19; 21:17; 22:11; Acts 7:53; Ex 23:20-23; Judg 13; 6:11-24; Isa 6:6; 1 Kings 19:5.

195 Cf. Lk 1:11,26.

196 Heb 1:6.

197 Lk 2:14.

198 Cf. Mt 1:20; 2:13,19; 4:11; 26:53; Mk 1:13; Lk 22:43; 2 Macc 10:29-30; 11:8.

199 Cf. Lk 2:8-14; Mk 16:5-7.

200 Cf. Acts 1:10-11; Mt 13:41; 24:31; Lk 12:8-9.

201 Cf. Acts 5:18-20; 8:26-29; 10:3-8; 12:6-11; 27:23-25.

202 Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Ps 34:7; 91:10-13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12.

203 St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29,656B.

 

 

RESOURCES/REFERENCES

 

The New American Bible

2011 revised edition

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church #328-336

Faith Doctrine (2nd edition), September 8, 1997

 

"Creator of All Things, Seen and Unseen."

St. John Paul II, (Holy Father 1978-2005), July 9, 1986

 

The Catholic Encyclopedia (online)

Kevin Knight, 1997