ANGELNOMICS

                                                              _

AN-jel-NOM-iks

​Module Two

Point Two – The Foundation 

The Anatomy of an Angel

​​

​​​

<> STORY POINT

​​​

In this lesson we will continue our discussion about the Angelology of angels, however, we will look more closely at some of the aspects we covered in that unit of study.  Today, we will learn about the anatomy of an angel, which is titled as the  Angelnomics (AN-jel-NOM-iks) of angels.

​

Before we define what Angelnomics is all about, I’d like to share another personal story with you about the angels in my life.  A few months ago, I was in the hospital for a minor procedure.  However, since I had other medical complications which led up to this procedure, I was a little apprehensive about what the doctors might find.  In fact, I was nervous and my family and friends knew this.  They had been praying for me and I could feel the grace of their prayers working.  I prayed to my guardian angel every day, and I particular that morning. 

 

I asked my guardian angel to be with all the guardian angels of those who participated in the procedure, the doctors, the nurses, the technicians, and so on.  I asked the angels to not let anything unusual or debilitating happen.

 

When I arrived at the hospital, I was taken to the pre-op section and took my place in the hospital bed where they gave me an IV and explained what the procedure was all about.  While I was in the hospital bed, waiting anxiously, I noticed that there was another patient directly across from where I was.  He was a friendly looking gentleman with a big smile.  I couldn’t help but notice that no one ever went into his room, and yet he was amazingly comfortable and relaxed.

 

Every so often, when I looked over, he was looking at me with what I would describe as a big, reassuring smile.  When it came time for me to be wheeled into the operating room for the procedure to begin, I noticed something very unusual.  As the nurses and others were pushing my bed past the room of this gentleman, he looked at me, and I looked at him, and he gave me a great big thumbs up along with a big smile.  I reciprocated with a thumbs up and a smile.

 

My procedure went well with no complications and good news.  I never saw the gentleman who gave me the thumbs up again, but I think of him often.  I have no doubt whatsoever that this mysterious “person” was an angel, sent by God to reassure me that all would be well.  I have had many similar experiences in my life where someone, a complete stranger, appears out of no where and, when I needed it, gave me a sign that all is well. 

 

 

<> LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

After completing this module, you will be able to:

 

1.  Define the meaning of Angelnomics in relation to the study of angels.

 

2.  Understand and comprehend the spiritual nature of angels and how that relates to their purpose.

 

3.  Discuss with a reasonable degree of understanding the intercessory power of angels and their intervention in our lives.

 

4.  Demonstrably speak about the differences between angels and other spiritual beings.

 

5.  State with clarity the principal reason for the existence of angels.

 

6.  Discuss our nature of “free will” as it relates to the power of angels in our lives.

 

7.  Outline some of the concepts of Pseudo Dionysius in his work on The Celestial Hierarchies.

 

8.  Discuss the hierarchy of angels in relation to their purpose.

 

9.  List and define the nine choirs of angels.

 

10.  Describe one salient point you learned from “On The Holy Angels,” by James F. Gontis, Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Harrisburg.

 

<> THE USE OF NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR

 

When it is necessary to convey information pertaining to the textual material relating to the immediate subject matter, such information will appear as a “Note” preceding the information. 

 

When information is cited as a textual entry, that citation will appear in parentheses following the information.

 

Note:  All factual material (points of learning) are numbered consecutively throughout the book.  Each module will consist of the following:  “Main Points of Learning,” “Concluding Points of Learning,” a link to a video” and a short quiz.*

*Some modules do not have a video or quiz due to the nature of material.

Interspersed between the learning materials are little snippets of poetic thoughts of inspiration called “Poetic Points.”

 

<> POETIC POINT

 

Angelnomics – The Anatomy

 

Angelnomics is the sacred economy.

The convergence of grace, blessings, and purpose through all things holy.

It is the invisible current that sustains, connects, and defines,

the abundance that multiplies when shared.

We learn that the gifts of the angels

are not to be hoarded or suppressed,

but to be given freely without restraint or limitation,

so that the world may be ever renewed in its light.

And somehow in its definition, we define what is important in our lives.

And in these defining moments,

we learn the principles of life as guarded by the angels.

And taught to us in their loving presence (Copilot/McCormick)

 

From Scripture

 

“For in him all things were created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers, or authorities.  All things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)

 

Historical Reflection:

 

The angels worship God, and we are called to join them in spirit and truth.  The angels constantly remind us of the order, the divinity, the awesomeness, the beauty of the universal cosmos created by God the father for the enjoyment of His people.  The angels remind us of the divine order of things and how wonderfully created we are, in the image of our God.

 

<> MAIN POINTS OF LEARNING

 

Definition of Angelnomics

 

33.  The word Angelnomics is a neologism.  Neologism comes from two words joined together.  The Greek word nelos, meaning new + the Greek word logos, meaning word.  Thus, a neologism is a new word, usually formed by merging two words together. 

 

Angelnomics is a new word that is formed by joining together the words Angel + ---nomics (-nomy). The Greek suffix -nomics or -nomy means a systemized knowledge of the prefix.  Thus, Angelnomics is a systemized knowledge of angels.

 

 Angelnomics can be defined as the hidden architecture of divine order.  The spiritual system through which angels guide, align, and influence the unfolding of the universe and the unfolding of our lives. Just as economics studies the movement of resources in the world, so too, Angelnomics explores the movement of blessings, timing, intuition, purpose, and the sacredness of spaces, all grounded in the principles of goodness.  It reveals that nothing meaningful is random – there is a time and a purpose for everything under the heavens.  Every nudge, delay, synchronicity, breakthrough, and brokenness or hurt is part of a larger spiritual economy designed to support our highest good. 

 

When we understand the principles of Angelnomics, we begin to recognize the patterns of divine assistance that have been surrounding us all along.  When we can connect the dots of the stars in the sky to our own connectedness, we begin to see the purpose, the meaning, the beauty of all that ever was, is now, and ever shall be. (McCormick/Copilot)

 

34. The Principles and Laws of Angelnomics.  In our definition of Angelnomics we alluded to a series of rules or principles that tell us what Angelnomics is all about, thus brining us to a systemized knowledge or a series of law and principles that tell us more about Angelnomics.  Listed below are some of these principles.

 

1. The law of divine timing.  Blessings arrives at the moment they can do the most good – not earlier, not later.

2. The law of alignment.  Angelic guidance flows most clearly when our intentions, actions, and values are in harmony with God and nature.

3. The law of spiritual exchange.  Every act of gratitude, kindness, or faith creates a return, not as payment, but as an echo of the goodness of our psyche. 

4. The law of synchronicity.  Angels communicate through patterns, coincidences, and symbolic alignments that guide our next step.  One step at a time, guided by the angels of divine order.

5. The law of invisible assistance.  Help is always available.  Angels are the “help key” on the keyboard of life.  Even when unseen; angels work through people, opportunities, intuition, and timing.  Like a fine-tuned clockwork, angels never skip a beat.

6. The law of energetic stewardship.  Your attention to detail, your emotional reactions, and the choices you make in life, all of these things shape the “currency” of your spiritual life.  When you spend good currency, even greater currency is returned to you.

7. The law of purposeful design.  Your life is not random.  It is structured with meaning, direction, and divine architecture, and grounded in the blueprints of the divine creator (McCormick/Copilot)

 

The Nature of Angels

 

Note:  The following material, unless otherwise noted, was taken from an online course on angels entitled “Angelology” from Universal Class, Inc. 2010.

 

35.  There is a growing consensus that angels play an integral part in the universal order of life and are accessible to all humans, particularly those who request their presence.  There is evidence of the belief in angels found in every religion.  Angels have been with us since the beginning of creation and have always played an important role in the history of humanity.

 

36.  As beings in spirit form, angels are messengers of God whose job it is, through their presence, to help those who struggle on earth.  Their tasks include teaching, illustrating, guiding, and otherwise helping us align with the perfection of the universe.  They have the ability to take on a physical form, sometimes appearing through the most unexpected forms of human bodies, and even through bodies of pets and wildlife. 

 

37.  St. Augustine wrote this about angels (paraphrased):  The angels are spirits, but it is not because they are spirits that they are angels.  They become angels when they are sent by God.  The name angel refers to their office, not to their nature.  The nature of angels is pure spirit.  The office or name is that of angel.  As far as an angel exists, an angel is a spirit.  And as far as an angel acts, it is as an angel. 

 

38.  Angels are assigned a purpose and they are sent by God to earth to perform that task.  When a visible form is taken by an angel, it may be created simply for our benefit, since the limitations of the human mind make it difficult to grasp their ethereal, holy nature.  Spirits are not normally seen, and if they are, they tend to frighten us.

 

39.  Thomas Keller says this about angels (paraphrased) …the real essence of an angel defies classification by our human, linear, three-dimensional minds.  With bodies said to be composed of ether, the forms in which they appear to us are assumed for the sake of conducting their earthly missions…they are as real as we are and move about our solar system to conduct whatever assignments they are given by God (Angelology, Universal Class).

 

Isn’t that a beautiful thought?  To think that angels are everywhere, at all times, and under all circumstances to conduct the divine orders assigned to them.  It is only the “free will” of man that gets in the way, a free will that is often overpowered and misguided by the evil one.

 

40. Angels are androgynous, that is without a male or female gender, but they may possess the essence of male or female if they choose.  Angels can take on the appearance of anything or anyone, whatever is more beneficial in delivering their message.  And sometimes it may be difficult for humans to recognize angels, even though their manifestation is not blocked.

 

41.  Angels do not need to consume food or drink.  However, they can eat and drink if it is necessary to help convey their message.  As celestial beings, they do not possess the same needs as humans but exist in a state of pure spirit. 

 

42.  Many people have had profound encounters with angels.  Many have tried their best to explain or describe their encounters.  These experiences can only be imagined by others but are very real to those who have experienced them firsthand.

 

If you have ever had an experience with an angel, you would know it, as your life is never the same.  However, sometimes you may encounter strangers who appear out of nowhere, help you, guide you, or teach you, or warn you, and you’re not even aware that your encounter was with an angelic being.

 

43.  Angels are not bound by the constrictions of space or time since they exist primarily in dimensions that do not encompass physical properties as we know them.  To some, this is a difficult construct to realize, simply because we do not understand.  And things we do not understand or things we can’t explain are very often hard to accept.

 

44.  Angels surround us at all times, and are always available to us, ready and willing to be invited into our lives.  And therein lies the key.  Usually, it is only when we ask our angel for help that they appear.  But sometimes they appear to help us or guide us because the divine plan of God is in jeopardy. 

 

45.  Human beings who die and pass over to the spiritual world do not become angels.  Those who die and enter into the heavenly realms may be able to communicate with humans who are sensitive to their spiritual presence.  Spirits that are not angels are often mistaken for angels, and even though they are spiritual beings, they are not angels as defined by their specific tasks (Angelology, Universal Class).

 

The Purpose of Angels

 

46.  Angels have varying degrees of power and responsibility as we will see when we discuss the hierarchy of the choir of angels in a later lecture.  However, the angels are united in their helpfulness, kindness, and goodness that is expressed in multiple ways.  They allow us to feel the love of God, and they attempt to teach us to imitate God’s love in our own lives.    

 

47.  There are different functions that are assigned to various angels; however, the primary job of angels involves their responsibilities toward humanity as directed by a hierarchy of forces, which all fall under the supreme guidance of God. 

 

God created the angels and the angels serve God and God alone.  There are good angels and bad angels as we have previously referenced.  The good angels help us live out God’s love on this earth.  The bad angels lead us astray and act with deceit, wickedness, disdain, sorcery, deception, and a bitter hatred for all that God stands for.

 

48.  Angels exist to assist human beings with the task of realizing our immortal nature and our souls’ unceasing, constant connection with God.  This is an important concept in the realm of angelic purposefulness.  Sometimes in our human capacity to appreciate the goodness of God, we get lost or we turn away, or we listen to the devil’s words that pull us away from God.  It is the task of the angels to guide us back on the right path, to offer us wisdom and insight in times of need and to help us avoid the Devil’s influence.

 

49.  Although angels surround us at all times, their direct intervention into the events and circumstances of our own personal lives only happens when we ask our angels to help us.  Because we are human, we have what is called “free will.”  Free will means that it is our choice, our decision to listen to our angels or listen to the devil  (Angelology, Universal Class/McCormick).

 

Note:  The following information is taken from Beyond Space, a Book About Angels, by Fr. Pascale Parente (1973), also published under the name, The Angels in Catholic Teaching and Tradition (1973), unless otherwise stated.

 

50.  The generic name, angel, does not reveal anything about the real nature of those celestial beings besides the fact that they are occasionally sent on a mission as messengers from God to men.  They have been given the name of messengers from the most common duty, an office they direct towards God’s children here on earth. 

 

51.  The office of being a messenger, an angel, is neither the most important nor the most common among the duties of the celestial spirits in the court of Heaven.  The angelic nature is spiritual; man’s nature is composed of body and spirit.

 

52.  An angel is an intellectual substance, endowed with liberty, perpetually active, without a body, serving God, the form and the limits of whose substance only its Creator knows. 

 

53.  In his work on The Celestial Hierarchies, Pseudo Dionysius describes the rank of angels a hierarchy of qualities and duties, as well as their superiority of nature above all other creatures. Because of their spiritual and immaterial nature, the angels occupy the first and highest place in the scale of created things.  Man, himself is second on the scale of creatures (Parente/McCormick).

 

The Hierarchy of Angels in Relation to their Purpose

 

54. Because of the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius, we have come to know that the spirit world can be divided into hierarchies and choirs, each choir having its proper denomination which should reveal something that is characteristic of all the members of the same choir.  Every angel of the first choir, in the first hierarchy, is a Seraph; all together they are Seraphim.  There is something in all of them that is not found in any other angel of any other choir or hierarchy.

 

55.  The hierarchical difference distinguishes the members of one choir from those of another, whereas the individual differences distinguishes between one angel and another within the same choir.

 

56.  The nine Choirs of angels in their descending hierarchical order are:  Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

 

57.  Seraphim  -- the Word Seraphim comes from the Hebrew seraph which means to burn (burning ones).  This is the first choir of the hierarchy of the Angels.  This name occurs twice in the Bible: Chapter 6 of Isiah where they are described as standing upon the throne where the Lord is sitting, each having six wings and singing the hymn of glory – Holy, Holy, Holy…there very name, burning ones, their position next to the throne of the Most High God, the act of purging the lips of the prophet with burning coal, all of these circumstances reveal the exalted position of the Seraphim in the Court of heaven. 

 

58.  The primary duty of the Seraphim is to sing without ceasing to God, celebrating the Glory of God.  Another duty is made manifest in the vision of Isaiah by the action of one of the seraphim, purging with fire.  According to Pseudo-Dionysius, the name Seraphim indicates their ceaseless and eternal revolution about Divine Principles; their heat and their keenness, the exuberance of their intense, perpetual, tireless activity, and their energetic assimilation of those below, firing them to their own heat, and wholly purifying them by a burning and all-consuming flame, destroying the shadows of darkness.

 

59.  Cherubim – the word Cherubim comes the singular word KeRUBH.  Scholars differ on the meaning and origin of this word.  Originally an Assyrian word and given a definite meaning by the Hebrews.  Assyrians, Persians, an Egyptians paid honor to protective deities represented as winged bulls, lions, sphinxes…these protective deities were the common guardians of temples and tombs. 

 

60.  In Sacred Scripture, the Cherubim appear as heavenly custodians and protectors of holy places and holy things.  Another specific duty of the Cherubim is that of being the throne-bearers of Almighty God. 

 

61.  It was the prophet Ezechiel who saw the glorious vision which was shown him upon the chariot of Cherubim.  The entire chapter 10 of the Book of the Prophet Ezechiel deals with a description of this vision in great detail. 

 

62.  Just as the Seraphim are regarded as the spirits of divine love, so are the Cherubim considered as the spirits of heavenly wisdom.  The name Cherubim denotes their power of knowing and beholding God, their receptivity to the most high gift of light, their contemplation of the beauty of the Divinity in its first manifestation.  They are filled by participation in divine wisdom and bounteously outpour to those below them from their own fountain of wisdom. 

 

63.  Thrones – Sacred Scripture does not offer any clue about the nature and the duties of this Angelic Choir, beyond the fact of revealing its name at the head of a partial list in St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians (Col 1:16).

 

64.  Being the lower Choir of the first and highest Hierarchy, the Thrones share with the Seraphim and the Cherubim the exalted dignity and glory of being closer to the throne of God than all the rest of the Angelic Choirs.  Because of their nearness to God, the light of the divine mysteries is brought to them before the rest.  Steadfastness is the characteristic of the Thrones. 

 

65.  Dominations – the Dominations are also mentioned in St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.  They occupy the first place in the second Angelic Hierarchy.  The name Dominations means certain unbounded elevation to that which is above, freedom from all that is terrestrial, and from all inward inclination to the bondage of discord, a liberal superiority to harsh tyranny, freedom from degrading servility and from what is low, because they are untouched by any inconsistency. 

 

66.  Virtues – the Virtues are mentioned by St. Peter (I Peter 3:22) in his reference to the good angels:  Angels, Powers, and Virtues.  The name signifies a certain powerful and unshakable courage welling forth into all their God-like energies…mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God…and flowing forth providentially to those below it, filling them abundantly with virtue.

 

67.  Powers – the Powers form the third and last choir of the second angelic Hierarchy.  The name of this choir is found in the Old Testament in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 3:61), as well as in the New Testament, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (3:10).   In the New Testament, the name Powers takes on a specific meaning of a particular order of heavenly spirits, both good Angels and evil spirits.

 

68.  The name of the Holy Powers, co-equal with the Divine Dominations and Virtues, signifies an orderly and unconfined and supernatural power which never debases its authority by tyrannical force but is irresistibly urged on in due order to the divine.  It beneficently leads those below it, as far as possible to the Supreme Power which is the source of all power. 

 

69.  Principalities – the name of this choir, like Dominations and Powers occur both in the sense of good Angels and of demons.  St. Jude singles out the Principalities as most representative of the angelic choirs in which defection occurs. 

 

70.  Principalities are the first choir of the third and last Hierarchy of Angels.  The name Principalities signifies their God-like prince lines and authoritativeness is an order which is holy and most fitting to the royal powers, and they are turned towards the Prince of princes, and lead others in regal fashion.

 

71.  Archangels – this middle choir of the third Hierarchy is the best known of all the Choirs because of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.  The choir of Holy Archangels is placed in the same threefold order as the celestial Principalities…because of their middle ranking in the hierarchy, they participate in the two extremes, above and below them.

 

72.  Archangels are leaders among the Angels and superior to the choir of Angels.

 

73.  Angels – the Angels fill up and complete the lowest choir of the Hierarchy of Angels.  They are the last of the heavenly beings possessing angelic nature.  They are more properly named Angels because their choir is more directly in contact with visible and earthly things. 

 

74.  By their nature and duties, the Angels are closer to man than any other celestial spirit.  It is from the ranks of this choir that Guardian Angels are ordinarily taken for the guidance and protection of individual souls during our earthly pilgrimage (Parente/McCormick)

 

<> POETIC POINT

 

Angelnomics is the quiet arithmetic of heaven,

the soft accounting of miracles

that slip into our days like the morning rays of the sun.

It is the study of how blessings travel,

how guidance gathers itself into whispers,

how timing bends itself around the soul,

that finally sees the light of the burning star and is ready to receive.

In this divine economy, nothing is wasted.

Every tear waters something,

every delay rearranges the path to truth,

so that your feet will not miss the next step meant only for you.

 

<> CONCLUDING POINTS OF LEARNING

 

Final Thoughts on the Anatomy and Purpose of Angels

 

Note:  The following chart is a compilation from material gathered from personal study notes, 2010.  This chart is an extension of the material presented above and in a real sense, recapitulates the qualities, nature, duties, and meaning of the nine choirs within the three hierarchies. 

 

THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS

The First Hierarchy

(The counselors who stand before the throne of God.)

1. Seraphim

Stand before the face of God.  Name means light or love.

They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God’s throne.  They praise God, calling “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.”  Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.

2. Cherubim

They are the knowledge angels who pass on information to the angels beneath.  They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and are guardians of God’s glory.  They symbolize God’s power and mobility.  They are angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continuously praise him.

3. Thrones

The service angels who are at the footstool of God.  They are

Angels of pure humility.  They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape.  The lower choir of Angels need Thrones to access God.

The Second Hierarchy

(The rulers or governors who guide the planets.)

4. Dominations

Represent God’s power and conduct the commands of God.

They are angels of leadership.  They regulate the duties of the choir of angels, making known the commands of God.

5. Virtues

 

 

 

They exercise power over the material world, presiding over the laws of nature and maintaining order.  These are the spirits of motion and control the elements.  Sometimes called the “shining ones.”  They govern all nature.  They have control over seasons, stars, moon, even the sun is subject to their command.  They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor.

6. Powers

The Powers are commissioned to remove obstacles that interfere with God’s commands. These are the warrior angels against evil, defending the cosmos and humans.  They fight against evil spirits who attempt to wreak chaos through human beings. 

The Third Hierarchy

(The messengers of God.)

7. Principalities

These angels are leaders who are the ministering angels who protect the rulers of nations.  One of the types of spiritual beings who are now hostile to God and humans.  Christ’s ultimate rule over them expresses the reign of the Lord over all in the cosmos.  This is the Lordship of Christ, which reveals God’s tremendous salvation in conquering sin and death at the cross, and now takes place in the Church.

8. Archangels

Archangels fulfill important missions to humanity and preside over the governance of countries, states, cities, and dioceses.

“Chiefs of the leading angels,” they have a unique role as God’s messengers to the people at critical times in history and salvation.

9. Angels

It is the Angels who watch over the spiritual and physical life of humanity and obtain the gifts from God to us.  They are closest to the material world and human beings.  They deliver the prayers to God, God’s answers,  and other messages between God and humanity.  They have the capacity to access any and all other angels at any time.  They are the most caring and understanding of the angels, ready to assist human beings who ask for help (Parente/McCormick)

 

 

Notes:  The following article was found on the Internet on October 31, 2025.  The referenced source is as follows:  On the Holy Angels – Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, https://hbgdiocese.org.   It appears here in its entirety.

 

75. ON THE HOLY ANGELS

On September 29 we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels.  On October 2, we celebrate the Memorial of the Guardian Angels.  With this in mind, we provide the following catechetical points on angels.

 

• The existence of angels is a truth of the faith witnessed to both in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.  It is taught by the Magisterium (the Pope and the Bishops in union with the Pope).

 

• Angels are creatures made by God.  They are pure spirits and personal beings.  (Each angel is a person.)  They are both powerful and intelligent.  Note:  Some people are inclined to think that the word “person” applies only to human beings.  On the contrary, “person” applies to each of the three divine Persons of the Holy Trinity, to angels and to humans.

 

• It has traditionally been taught that there are nine choirs of angels.  “Choirs” in this usage means “groupings” or “genera.”  In order of precedence, from lowest to highest, they are named as follows:  Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim.  This is not to be understood as if there were some system of promotion from one choir to another.  These are categories that attempt to categorize the essential natures of these created pure spirit beings.  There is a dazzling variety among angels, not only from one choir to another, but among the individuals within each choir.

 

• Angels are not on the same level as God, not even close.  God is God.  He is all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc.  Angels are not all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc.  In fact, some of the angels got into big trouble with God when they wanted to be on the same level as God.  There is a lesson for us here.  Humility is a bedrock virtue and there is no progressing in the spiritual life without humility.

 

• Angels do not and cannot give themselves existence.  God made each of them and keeps each of them in existence. 

 

• Angels are immortal spirits; their existence had a point of origin but will have no point of termination.  Human souls are also immortal spirits.  However, angels are pure spirits, i.e., they have no bodies (material component), whereas humans are embodied spirits – body-soul composites. 

 

• While immortal, neither angels nor humans are eternal, because every angel, just like every human, has a beginning.  God alone is eternal; the three divine Persons are the only Persons Who have no beginning or end.

 

• The word angel means messenger.”  With their whole being, they are servants and messengers of God

 

• They always behold the face of the Father, which is to say that they always have the Beatific Vision.

 

• The word angel means messenger.  With their whole being, they are servants and messengers of God.

 

• They surpass visible creatures in perfection. 

 

• There are incidents recounted in Scripture and in approved private revelations wherein angels have taken on human appearance.  These appearances never imply incarnation.  No angel has ever taken on human nature.  No angel has ever become human.  Note:  This is distinctly different from the case of Jesus who, in human history, truly became human and will be human for all eternity while remaining in God. 

 

• Angels belong to Jesus.  They were made for Him and through Him. 

 

• They have been present since creation and throughout salvation history.

 

• Archangels are a distinct “genus” of angelic spirits.  They are the principal messengers of God.  Three are named in Scripture – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

     

 

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 witnessed 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).  < >The Church constantly benefits from the help of angels. At Mass we join the angels in invoking the thrice-holy God.  Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God of Hosts!  (This is the angelic hymn, first noted in Isaiah 6:3)  < >Angels — the Archangel Michael in particular — are invoked in the Church’s funeral liturgy: – May the angels lead you into paradise…  < >In the Cherubic hymn of the Byzantine liturgy, the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are invoked, as well as our Guardian Angels. < >We should invoke the help of our Guardian Angels daily.  “From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and protection.  Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”  (CCC #336). < >The main task of our Guardian Angels is to help us get to heaven.  The Guardian Angel Prayer is an excellent prayer.  It is as follows:  Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to Whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. No angel ever was or ever will be a human being.  No human being ever was or will become an angel.  Note:  It is common in sentimental piety to refer to children who have died as “angels.”  It would be a service to the truth to point this out to the students because they have certainly been exposed to this particular inaccuracy.  < >We should not try to name our Guardian Angels.  God knows their names; we don’t and won’t, at least until heaven.  Assigning a name to someone implies a claim of authority by the one doing the naming over the one being named.  Parents name their children.   People name their cats.  Children don’t name their parents nor do cats name their people (as far as we know!)  We don’t have authority over our Guardian Angels; rather God has given them a certain authority over us. It has often been said that St. Pio (Padre Pio) and other saints used to ask their Guardian Angels to go to other people to assist them in opening their hearts to God and minds to God’s grace.  < >There are also, as mentioned earlier, fallen angels, led by the chief of the fallen angels, Lucifer.  Lucifer means “light bearer.”  He was created good but chose against God.  Literature has attributed to him the battle cry of the sin of pride, “Non serviam,” meaning, “I will not serve.”  We often refer to Lucifer as Satan which means “Adversary.” < >Other angels followed Lucifer.  We refer to these fallen angels as demons or devils.  All the fallen angels were created good but, of their own free will, they chose against God, in an act of radical disobedience prompted by pride and envy.  Because, unlike the intellects and wills of human beings, angelic intellects understand reality in one act of apprehension and because angelic wills choose permanently in one act of volition, there is no possibility that the fallen angels will ever repent.  Neither is there any possibility that the good angels will ever sin.  < >The good angels are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, which is to say that they are our fellow members of the Church.  < >Because devils are immortal spirits, they, too, will always exist, but in hell. < >They seek to tempt us and get us to wind up in hell.  We need to be aware of the but should not be unduly frightened of them because God is infinitely more powerful than Satan and his minions.  God is love and mercy itself. < >God desires that all of us be saved (1 Tim. 2:4) and gives each of us sufficient grace to get to heaven. < >Our job is to stay united to God in sanctifying grace.  Holy Mass, frequent Eucharistic reception, frequent confession, devotion to Mary, the angels, and saints, faithfulness to the Church and her teachings, acts of charity – these are our weapons and they are much more powerful than anything that Satan can throw at us.  Remember, all those who die in sanctifying grace will definitely go to heaven.  IF a person commits mortal sin, or even many mortal sins, God, in his in his infinite mercy destroys those sins, all of them, every time we make a good sacramental confession. < > It is good to keep in mind that our Blessed Mother, Mary, is Queen even of the Angels.  This does not, of course, mean that she is an angel.  She is not.  However, she is their Queen and is created by God as first in the order of grace.  This did not happen by her own power, but because God chose her to be so.    < >The angels worship God.  We are to worship God as well, in spirit and in truth.  The Greek word that theologians use for the worship due alone to the one, true God is Latria.  We venerate (honor) the saints and angels.  The Greek word for the veneration due to angels and saints is Dulia.  Human beings and angels and saints do venerate (honor) the Blessed Virgin Mary to a high degree.  The honor due to the Blessed Virgin is even higher than that due to the angels and other saints.  The word for the special honor due to Mary is what theologians call Hyperdulia. The Feast of the Archangels is September 29.  The Memorial of the Guardian Angels is October 2.  

To learn more about angels, I recommend the following readings:

< >The Holy BibleCatechism of the Catholic ChurchAngels and Demons:  What Do We Really Know about them, by Peter Kreeft, published by Ignatius PressDirector of Religious Education

Diocese of Harrisburg

(Gontis)

<> POETIC POINT

Angelnomics teaches that angels have orderly designs.

They balance the books of our becoming,

with symbols, nudges,

and the gentle interest rate of intuition.

A feather on the ground,

a name repeated,

a door closing softly so another can open wide.

This is the currency of the unseen.

Angelnomics is the mathematics of mercy,

the geometry of guidance,

the ledger of love kept by hands you cannot see,

but can ways feel their gentle touch upon your mind.

 

It is a reminder that your life is not random,

your steps are not solitary,

and your story is not written in isolation,

but in partnership with the luminous forces,

that have been walking beside you,

since the moment you first breathed (Copilot/McCormick).

​

<> A PRAYER

May the economy of the unseen enrich your days,

and blessings circulate freely throughout your life.

May gratitude multiply your talents,

and every aligned choice open a new door.

Blessed be your orderliness and attention to detail,

for every moment is an investment in your very soul (Copilot/McCormick).

​

<> FINAL STEPS

​​​​

Congratulations!  You're almost done with this module.  Just a couple of things to complete the unit of study. The first is to watch a video that pertains to the study of angels.  The second is to complete a short quiz.  After completing these two items, you can adance on to the next module.  If everything is in order and you passed the quiz, you can apply for a certificate of completion for each module.  At the end of the course, you will be able to receive nine certificates for the nine module and one final certificate of completion for the entire course.  The final certificate will be sent only after you have completed all the modules and passed all the quizzes.  

​​Select the link below to proceed to the final ending page link to view the video and complete the quiz.