Angels this Lent

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

We Catholics have one foot planted on God's green earth and another in heaven. Human beings are enfleshed souls. The Catechism reminds us that

365 The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the "form" of the body: 234 i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body; spirit and matter, in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.

Despite misguided popular assumptions, we are not angels nor will we ever be.

This Lent, if we are earnest about our intention to praise God by refining our witness to His goodness and mercy, we might reach out to ask God to direct our guardian angel to render a specific form of assistance. Or, we might ask God to send our guardian to help someone - a friend or stranger, a coworker or family member - in need of assistance beyond our capacity to offer assistance.

Who or what are angels? Let's take a moment or two to visit the Church's teaching about blessed spirits.

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Nature & Function

The angels are spirits. When they are simply spirits, they are not angels, but when they are sent, they become angels (angelos); for “angel” is the name of a function, not of a nature. If you inquire about the nature of such beings, you find that they are spirits; if you ask what their office is, the answer is that they are angels. . . . Make a comparison with human affairs. The name of someone’s nature is “human being,” the name of his job is “soldier.” . . . Similarly some beings existed who were created by God as spirits, but he makes them angels by sending them to announce what he has ordered them (Expositions of the Psalms 103:1:15). - Saint Augustine of Hippo

Hierarchy

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia described nine levels of spiritual beings which he grouped into three orders:

First Order: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones
Second Order: Dominions, Virtues and Powers
Third Order: Principalities, Archangels and Angels

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Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives

I. Ecclesiastical Authority

The same three sources that testify to the existence of the angels are also our principal authorities for their pure spirituality. The Fourth Lateran Council set the basis; the First Vatican Council built on this base; and the Second Vatican Council repeated what had been taught by the Church for almost eight centuries.

70. How does the Church identify the angels as pure spirits?

She identifies the angels as pure spirits in four ways:

1. by declaring that the angels are spiritual and not corporeal.
2. by describing the angels as “invisible.” Thus they are not perceptible by the senses.
3. by distinguishing the angels from the material universe.
4. by stating that God also created human beings who are composed of both body and spirit.

II. Sacred Scripture and Tradition

72. What is our biblical basis for saying the angels are pure spirits?

The biblical basis is the consistent use of the word “spirit” when speaking of the angels. Thus St. Paul asked, “Are they not all ministering spirits,” in his letter to the Hebrews (1:14). Again Christ is said to “drive out the spirit by a word” (St Matthew 8:16), referring to the Savior’s exorcising people possessed by the evil spirit.

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Benevolent Intermediaries

Catholic Encyclopedia

(W)hen we find the angels described as asomatoi or auloi, in the writings of the Fathers, this properly means only that the angels do not possess a gross, fleshly body; it does not at all imply a nature absolutely immaterial. ... St. Thomas teaches the complete simplicity of all spiritual natures, but the Scotists, by means of their famous materia primo prima, introduced a real composition, which they conceived to be necessary to a created nature. ... Scripture abounds in instances of their dealings with men, chiefly in the character of intermediaries between God and His servants. They are the heralds who announce his commands, and often too the ministers who execute His justice. They take a benevolent interest in the spiritual good of men (St Luke 15:10). For these reasons, the Church permits and encourages devotion to the angels. - Maher, M., & Bolland, J. (1912). Spirit. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved February 21, 2023 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14220b.htm

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Companions

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. - St Matthew 18:10

Catechism of the Catholic 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.

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.

Guardians

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Angele Dei, qui custos es mei, Me tibi commissum pietate superna; (hodie, hac nocte) illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen.

Holy Guardian Angels - October 2nd: Collect (Divine Worship)

O God, who in thine ineffable providence dost vouchsafe to send thy holy Angels to guard us: grant, of thy bountiful goodness, that we thy humble servants may continue in safety under their protection, and hereafter rejoice in their abiding fellowship; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Votive Mass of the Holy Angels: Collect (Divine Worship)

O Everlasting God, who has ordained and constituted the service of Angels and men in a wonderful order: mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Warriors

Holy Michael archangel, defend us in the day of battle; Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. - Prayer to Saint Michael, belonging to the Leonine Prayers said after Low Mass

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II. The Fall of the Angels

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

391 Behind the disobedient choice of our first parents lurks a seductive voice, opposed to God, which makes them fall into death out of envy. 266 Scripture and the Church's Tradition see in this being a fallen angel, called "Satan" or the "devil". 267 The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: "The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing." 268

392 Scripture speaks of a sin of these angels. 269 This "fall" consists in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. We find a reflection of that rebellion in the tempter's words to our first parents: "You will be like God." 270 The devil "has sinned from the beginning"; he is "a liar and the father of lies". 271

393 It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes the angels' sin unforgivable. "There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death." 272

394 Scripture witnesses to the disastrous influence of the one Jesus calls "a murderer from the beginning", who would even try to divert Jesus from the mission received from his Father. 273 "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." 274 In its consequences the gravest of these works was the mendacious seduction that led man to disobey God.

395 The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature- to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him." 275

Notes

266 Cf. Gen 3:1-5; Wis 2:24.
267 Cf Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9.
268 Lateran Council IV (1215): DS 800.
269 Cf. 2 Pt 2:4.
270 Gen 3:5.
271 I Jn 3:8; Jn 8:44.
272 St. John Damascene, Defide orth. 2, 4: PG 94, 877.
273 Jn 8:44; cf. Mt 4:1-11.
274 I Jn 3:8.
275 Rom 8:28.

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Conclusion

These few passages from Scripture, from wise and learned teachers, and from the Catechism, present the reader with a profound sense of reality: the order of creation willed by God. God, in his supreme benevolence, leads us home by making available the help of powerful and loving spirits who serve God's divine will. There are, of course, many additional passages of Holy Scripture that attest to the reality of God's blessed spirits and to their activity and purpose.

Down through the ages, there have been many witnesses to extraordinary meetings with spiritual beings. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, Blessed Angela of Foligno, Benoîte Rencurel, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Germaine of Pibrac, to name a mere fraction of those so graced by God.

The Church reminds us to test spirits to determine whether or not they are sent by God.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already. Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore what they say is of the world, and the world listens to them. We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. - 1 John 4:1-6

To reliably evaluate the origin and orientation of a spirit one must first set aside any temptation - e.g., to self-importance or thought that one deserves an encounter with a good spirit - that would cloud one's ability to judge an encounter; and, secondly, ask the Father to send in Jesus' Name the Holy Spirit to illuminate one's mind to enable truthful reflection on any encounter in order to learn whether or not a spirit's message comports with the data of revelation found in Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Should a message contradict that which has been revealed by Christ Jesus, then one should don the full armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. - Ephesians 6:10-20

Holy Mass is a sure refuge. Saint Michael stands at the gates to guard God's sanctuary. Therein those sacred precincts one learns how to guard one's heart from evil desires (especially in the Penitential Rite and in the Sacrament of Penance). Therein those sacred precincts one is strengthened by the Lord Jesus Himself Who offers His very life, His Flesh and Blood, the Holy Eucharist.

Father John Horgan (RIP) has the last word:

The writings of great mystics such as Teresa of Avila, Veronica Giuliani, or Anne Catherine Emmerich reveal many wonderful insights into the angelic world, but each of those holy women — as well as their guardian angels — would tell you that the most important aspect of the angels’ role in their lives was found in their understanding of the Cross, their growth in divine charity toward their neighbor, and, ultimately, their transformation in Christ. The angels are messengers of these truths, guides to these mysteries, and spiritual teachers of this way of life.