The Hierarchies of Angels
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Angels
There are invisible beings with almost every perfection possible, who are always around us, who massively outnumber us, and who definitely outthink us! I’m not talking about aliens. I’m talking about Angels and Demons.
We learn from Scripture, Tradition and the official teaching of the Church that each angel is a person with intelligence and freedom. They are immortal creatures who are pure spirits possessing no physical body yet surpass in perfection all visible creatures.
In her diary St Faustyna writes of a profound experience with an angel: (630) Then I saw one of the seven spirits near me, radiant as at other times, under a form of light. I constantly saw him beside me when I was riding on the train. I saw an angel standing on every church we passed, but surrounded by a light which was paler than that of the spirit who was accompanying me on the journey, and each of these spirits who were guarding the churches bowed his head to the spirit who was near me.
When I entered the convent gate at Warsaw, the spirit disappeared. I thanked God for His goodness, that He gives us angels for companions. Oh, how little people reflect on the fact that they always have beside them such a guest, and at the same time a witness to everything! Remember, sinners, that you likewise have a witness to all your deeds.
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There are three levels or hierarchies of angels and three groups within each hierarchy – making nine categories or choirs of angels
1. The Seraphim, the Cherubim, and the Thrones.
2. The Dominions, Virtues, and Powers.
3. The Principalities, the Archangels, and the Angels.
The mission of the first and highest hierarchy of angels, the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and the Thrones is to contemplate the infinite goodness of God and the proper goal of all things. The Seraphim communicate the love of God, the Cherubim communicate the truth of God, and The Thrones communicate the purpose of all things to the next hierarchy of angels.
The Angels closest to God are the Seraphim. Their name means “the burning ones” or “the Angels of Fire” because God is a consuming fire of love. The Seraphim are set on fire by the love of God which they communicate to the others. Isaiah Chapter 6 describes the Seraphim: I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
We literally join the Seraphim in their hymn of praise in each Mass right before the consecration of the Eucharist because we are entering the presence of Almighty God with them.
The Cherubim excel in their knowledge of God. St. Thomas Aquinas speculated that Lucifer was probably a Cherub rather than a Seraph, since the burning love of Seraphim is opposite to pride, whereas great knowledge of truth, which the Cherubim possess, can more easily lead to pride.
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The second hierarchy of Angels is the Dominions, Virtues, and Powers
Their mission is to govern the material world, control the elements, the seasons, the stars, even the sun and moon – in short, all aspects of nature.
The idea of the Angels controlling the turning of the seasons or the rotation of the planets may sound farfetched to some, but keep in mind what we can call the “more the merrier principle” with His Church. The more God gets his creatures involved in His divine actions, the more his creatures are made holy, and the more God is given glory. Whenever free creatures use their freedom to cooperate with God in the fulfillment of his divine plan, it is both pleasing to God and a grace for the creature.
Every parent knows it is more satisfying when the child cleans his or her room on their own, even though the parent certainly can do the cleaning by their own efforts. The same is true for God. He could put forth all the efforts necessary for the governing of creation on His own and by His own power, but it gives him more glory when his angels cooperate in the fulfillment of God’s will.
For this reason, St. Thomas nicknamed the Angels, “God’s secondary causes” because God chooses to do all possible in his creation through the intercession of His Angels.
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The third or lowest hierarchy of Angels is the Principalities, Archangels, and Guardian Angels
They have a three-fold mission:
I. To defend us against Satan and the demons – as St. Michael does.
II. To help us know the will of God – as Gabriel does when announcing God’s plan to Mary and telling Joseph to take Mary as his wife and to escape when Herod tries to kill the baby Jesus.
III. To heal us – as St. Raphael does
The Principalities, as the “spiritual generals,” have the greatest authority of this lowest hierarchy in carrying out God’s plan during the spiritual warfare for souls that takes place each and every day of our life on earth.
The Archangels are leaders and messengers of great importance in the world of man.
These Angels preside over a multitude of peoples and also deliver the most important messages to humanity.
The last group of Angels are the Guardian Angels.
The Catechism teaches that from its beginning until death, every human person is surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of a Guardian Angel.
"Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."
I wonder if my Guardian Angel would be willing, in the evening, to review my day with me?
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We are making a big mistake if we live as if angels do not exist
Dr. Mark Miravalle, in his book Time to Meet the Angels, shares in the insights of a mystic who relates what Jesus wants us to know about the Angels
My children, there is so much talk of the enemy and the enemy is so glorified in your world, that many souls forget that heaven is far and away more powerful than the pitiful band of bitter ones who serve darkness. These want only your misery. Conversely, the unlimited number of good and holy servants, want only your joy and safety. But your prayers are necessary to mobilize all of this power. In these times, many souls spend time with darkness through their activities and recreation. In doing so, souls are inviting the enemy’s companionship. If souls do not invite our companionship, through prayers and requests, we do not force ourselves. So surround yourself with all that is Light and the enemy will avoid you. Ask for an honor guard of My angels and you will be enveloped in powerful beings from heaven who will insure that you complete your missions in safety. Children, you are God’s little creatures. You will not be abandoned.