Do you ever wonder about angels?

• 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. (CCC 328)
• St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature…..'”¹⁸⁸ (CCC 329)
• 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 (CCC 329)
• 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 (CCC 330)
• 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: … (CCC 332)
• 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. (CCC 336)

For complete entries see #s 328-336 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.    
CCC is online at https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/.

Traditionally the angels are classified into what are called nine “choirs” or “ranks.” This division is based on nine names of angels found in Sacred Scripture. This is an accepted Catholic belief but is not dogma. The names do not appear in the Catechism. According to these rankings, only Archangels and “regular” angels have contact with humans. Two of the exceptions to this are:  a Seraph touched a burning ember to the lips of the Prophet Isaiah, and St. Francis was visited in a vision by a Seraph on Mt. La Verna.

 (See Aleteia: https://aleteia.org/2017/09/28/the-9-choirs-of-angels-and-the-roles-given-them-by-god/)

St. Thomas Aquinas devotes an entire question to the angels in the Summa Theologiae. (See New Advent: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1108.htm )

The names of the nine choirs of angels are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Archangels, Principalities, Angels. (For a description of each choir see Catholic.org https://www.catholic.org/saints/angels/angelchoir.php )

In case you were wondering—”The Bible and the Church recognize seven archangels, although just three are known by name, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.” Other, non-biblical sources mention four other names, but they are not recognized by the Church.

The highest order of angels is the SERAPHIM. This is particularly significant for Franciscans.

The Seraphim are closest to God, and they praise him day and night. Seraphim means “the burning ones.”

St. Francis was visited by a Seraph in a vision on Mt. La Verna. This is why he is called our Seraphic Father.

Thomas of Celano mentions the six wings of the Seraph.

In The Soul’s Journey Into God, St. Bonaventure uses “the imagery of the six wings of the Seraph as indicators and reminders of the comprehensive and full spirituality of St. Francis, and of anyone who would follow his inspiration.” (see link below)

Read a full description of St. Bonaventure’s explanation of the six wings of the Seraph in an excellent article on “The Seraphic Vision on Mt. La Verna”  by Fr. John Sullivan, OFM, (topic #18) on the OFS-USA website here: https://secularfranciscansusa.org/topics-for-keeping-our-focus-on-st-francis-of-assisi/

Questions for discussion or to answer in your journal.

• Think about angels. What role do they play in your life?
• Read the article about “The Seraphic Vision on Mt. La Verna.” Think about St. Francis’s vision of the Seraph. What did you learn about this experience? What effect does seeing this event in the life of St. Francis more clearly have on your spiritual life?