“And there was a battle in heaven; Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And they did not prevail... And that great dragon was cast down, the ancient serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, who leads astray the whole world; and he was cast down to the earth and with him his angels were cast down.”
KNOW IT
GOD CREATED THE ANGELS
Before God created man, he created the angels, intelligent creatures who are created spirits, without bodies, having understanding and free will. The human mind knows things only by study and experience. Human power is very limited. Angels, on the other hand, have brilliant intelligences and do not need to study. Angelic power is far greater than human power. The word angel means “messenger”. That is precisely what angels are—the messengers of God. There are nine choirs of angels, and each choir has its own task. The choirs of angels are:
You can make a mnemonic—a device to help you remember the choirs of angels in order—like this:
Before God created man, he created the angels, intelligent creatures who are created spirits, without bodies, having understanding and free will. The human mind knows things only by study and experience. Human power is very limited. Angels, on the other hand, have brilliant intelligences and do not need to study. Angelic power is far greater than human power. The word angel means “messenger”. That is precisely what angels are—the messengers of God. There are nine choirs of angels, and each choir has its own task. The choirs of angels are:
- Angels, Archangels, Principalities: Closest to creation and humanity, concerned with the ordering of the universe and the welfare of men. Human beings, churches, and countries each have a guardian angel.
- Powers, Virtues, and Dominions: These are the angels of creation who order the universe and do the work of God in creation and maintaining all that He has created.
- Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim: These are the angels who are concerned with continual praise of God in Heaven. The seraphim, highest of the choirs of angels, sing before God: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts.” The seraphim have six wings.
You can make a mnemonic—a device to help you remember the choirs of angels in order—like this:
Against Apples, Purple Persimmons Verily Delight Tall, Clever Swans
Angels Archangels Principalities Powers Virtues Dominions Thrones Cherubim and Seraphim
A great deal of what we know of angels is owing to the beautiful theological insights of St. Thomas Aquinas. In fact, his exquisite writings on angels are partly the reason he received the title: “The Angelic Doctor”.
SOME OF THE ANGELS SINNED
After God created the angels, some of the angels, led by Lucifer, the most powerful and beautiful of the angels, rebelled against God. Lucifer saw that God would become man and die for our sins. In disgust, he turned from God, choosing not to follow him. Unlike men, angels (as pure spirits) cannot repent. Just as other angels work to lead men to heaven, fallen angels work to lead men away from God into sin.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
CENTRAL CATECHESIS(each stage encompassing the younger stages)
- Ages 0-4: God created the angels, spirits who are His messengers.
- Ages 5-7: Some of the angels fell.
- Ages 8-10: The fallen angels work to lead men away from God into sin. Each angel performs a specific duty, the duty for which God specifically designed him.
Those preparing for First Communion can also talk some about the way that the fallen angels work to tempt us. This will help when we discuss our own sinfulness (which we will begin to discuss next week with the story of the Fall).
For parents who want to learn more:
PRAY IT
ANGEL OF GOD
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.
ST. MICHAEL PRAYER
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
PRACTICE IT
DISCUSS:
- Do humans ever become angels ? (No. Humans and angels are different creatures.)
- How can we keep the fallen angels from leading us away from God? (We can try to be forever praying the name of Jesus because at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow. We can ask our guardian angel to protect us and to help us resist sin. We can receive the sacraments.)
- What will happen to the demons at the end of time? (They will be cast into hell for eternity.)
- Are God and the devil equal? (No. Lucifer, the devil, has already been defeated by Jesus ’ crucifixion. God is all powerful. The devil and the demons are creatures. The devil’s power will continue until Jesus comes again. God allows the demons to exist because He doesn’t destroy creatures when they will not obey Him. He allows them to exist as they choose.)
- It was the choice of the fallen angels to leave the love and light of God. How is this like human sin?
- Why does God allow bad things to happen? (God will never allow evil unless a better good will come from it. There are many good angels to help us and protect us from physical and spiritual harm. )
- Look up the times in the Bible where an angel has been a messenger. Choose one to draw.
- Read Revelation 12:7-17. Dramatize the battle between Saint Michael with the good angels and Satan with the demons.
- Name the 9 choirs of angels.
- At Mass, listen for the name of all the choirs of angels in the Eucharistic Prayer. Try to visualize them praising God.
- Read the story of Tobias and Raphael, who is an archangel: Tobit 5:1-6, chapter 6, chapter 8:19, chapters 11-12:10. You might want to retell it, dramatize it, or draw it.
- Talk with your family about a time that they know that their guardian angel has helped them.
- When going in the car, after you buckle your seatbelt, pray the Guardian Angel Prayer.
- God gave the angels superior intelligence. He gave humans the chance to repent. Think about these characteristics and other attributes to decide whether you are glad that you are human or whether you would rather be an angel. Tell or write why you made this choice.
- Sing “Angels We Have Heard on High”.
As you instruct your children to reflect in their lesson books, ask them to think of one thing that impressed them from the lesson or that confused them. Discuss this with the intent to review. Lead them to connections. Let them know that they can use their books for a time to write about what they have learned, to create a fictional story about what they have learned, to record a memory, or to compose a drawing, a song, a poem, or a dramatization.
Want to support us? During this pandemic season, we have waived all fees. Your kind donation supports the parish, supports our programs, and enables us to support the Dominican Sisters at Lumen Ecclesiae & the friars at the Thomistic Institute. Click here to make a free will donation.
Want to support us? During this pandemic season, we have waived all fees. Your kind donation supports the parish, supports our programs, and enables us to support the Dominican Sisters at Lumen Ecclesiae & the friars at the Thomistic Institute. Click here to make a free will donation.
We're on Feast Watch this week!
This week has two important angelic feasts for us to celebrate:
- September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels: Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. (This Feast is also known as Michaelmas.)
- October 2nd is the Feast of the Guardian Angels, the angels who guard each and everyone of us.
Watch for updates on ways to celebrate as the week progresses!