Do angels exist? Do we believe in angels? Modern science and many religious (clergy and theologians) dismiss the belief in angels as naïve and superstitious However at every Mass we proclaim the existence of angels. In our Creed, our Profession of Faith, we profess to believe in “ one God, the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth of all things visible (seen) and invisible (unseen.) ” Some would suggest that this is just a way of saying that God created all/everything, but others throughout the history of the Church see in this the creation of purely spiritual beings, those beings without matter …angels ! Although through our intellect we can reasonably speculate that angels exist, the existence of pure created spirits requires divine revelation to make the fact absolutely certain. The catechism refers to this as “the truth of faith.” Some would say that a fair test of Christian orthodoxy is the acceptance of angels as created by God and now living in two states of being: those in heaven who also minister to our needs, and those in hell, who are demons and bent on the destruction of the human race through estrangement from God. We have numerous sources to bolster our belief in angels including scripture (OT and NT), the Church Fathers (Patristics), Church Councils, the CCC, and the Mass. SCRIPTURE There are hundreds of references to angels in Scripture. Here are just a few: An angel was sent to keep Abraham from sacrificing Isaac (Gen.22:11-12). The Archangel Raphael (whose name means “God heals”) assisted Tobiah on his journeys, leads Tobiah to his wife, Sarah, and heals Tobiah’s father, Tobit. The Archangel Gabriel (whose name means “God’s hero”) announced the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus (Lk 1). The Archangel Michael (whose name means, “Who is like God?” is the chief angelic warrior for God (cf. Dan. 10, Jude 1:9, Rev. 12) He is also the principal angelic defender of the Church. Angels ministered to Christ in the desert (Mt. 4:11), and in his agony in the Garden (Lk.22:43). Angels were witnesses to Christ’s resurrection (Jn.20:12 -13). Angels surround the throne of God and give him constant praise and glory (Dan.6:9-10, (Book of Revelation). 1
Ecumenical Councils There are three principal sources of ecclesiastical authority on the angels: the Fourth Lateran Council (1215 AD), the First Vatican Council (1870) and the Second Vatican Council (1964). The 4th Lateran Council taught: God is the creator of all things, visible and invisible, spiritual and corporeal, who, by His almighty power from the very beginning of time has created both orders of creation in the same way out of nothing, the spiritual or angelic world and the corporeal or visible universe. • Afterwards He formed the creature man, who in a way belongs to both orders, as he is composed of spirit and body. • The devil and other demons were created by God good according to their nature, but they made themselves evil by their own doing. The First Vatican Council repeated the teaching of Fourth Lateran. The Second Vatican Council Among other statements, the faithful are told that, "the Church has always believed that the Apostles and Christ's martyrs, who gave the supreme richness of faith and charity by the shedding of their blood, are closely united with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy angels , with a special love, and has asked piously for the help of their intercessor" (Lumen Gentium, 50). The Catechism of The Catholic Church In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. CCC 334 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy's “ May the angels lead you into Paradise. . . "). CCC 335 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." CCC 336 Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve his saving plans for other creatures: "The angels work together for the benefit of us all" (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I, 114, 3, ad 3). CCC 350 2
The angels surround Christ their Lord. They serve him especially in the accomplishment of his saving mission to men. CCC 351 The Mass I have already mentioned the reference to angels in our Creed. If you pay close attention to the Eucharistic Prayers you will also observe our participation with angels. Preface to Eucharistic Prayer (EP) I: And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts Preface EP II: And so we join the angels and saints in proclaiming your glory: Preface EP IV Countless hosts of angels stand before you to do your will; they look upon your splendor and praise you, night and day. United with them, and in the name of every creature under heaven, we too praise your glory as we say: EP I Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven. Angelology 101 Let us discuss some “angel” basics What is the meaning of the word "angel"? The word "angel", from the Greek angelos , means "one who is sent" or a "messenger." What is an angel? 3
An angel is a spiritual creature, especially one in heavenly glory, who is superior to human beings and often commissioned by God for certain duties on earth. As explained by St. Augustine, " the name angel belongs to his office, not to his nature. You ask what is the name of his nature. He is a spirit. You ask what is the name of his office. He is an angel ." What is the meaning of "angel" in Catholic theology? In Catholic theology the term "angel" refers to all spiritual creatures whether in glory with God or eternally separate from God in hell. We may therefore define angels as purely spiritual created substances. Facts or Fiction? Fiction : All angels are wonderful and will help us humans. Fact : Some are, some aren't. Some do, some don't. Heavenly angels — "good angels" — are enjoying great popularity these days, but their counterparts — "bad angels" — tend to be forgotten or dismissed as primitive superstition or childish fairy tales. The Church teaches that not all angels chose to do God's will. "'The devil and other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing,"' the Catechism says (no. 391), quoting from the writings of the Fourth Lateran Council (held in the year 1215). Some angels sinned. We don't know exactly what they did wrong, but their "fall" was a result of radically and irrevocably rejecting God and His reign. And since the beginning of humanity's time on earth, the devil — immortal and powerful, but not all-powerful like God — has been encouraging human beings to also reject their Creator. Fiction : When humans, especially young children, die and go to heaven, they become angels. Fact : Angels and humans are separate and different beings. Angels are 100 percent spirits; humans are both spirit (soul) and body. A human being's soul is immortal; his or her body dies. When the soul leaves the body at death, it is not transformed somehow into an angel. How many angels are there? We don’t know but their number is felt to be exceedingly vast. Traditionally, angels are said to be divided into various "choirs." 4
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