Based on Scriptures and Tradition theologians (also known as angelogians) have hypothesized that although angels are described as hosts in bible; they are organized in a Celestial Hierarchy according to Dionysius writing in the sixth century the idea which was hacked by Thomas Aquinas was later simplified by dividing the angelic world into three Celestial Hierarchies and nine choirs as follows:

1. The supreme Hierarchy
2. Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones
3. Middle hierarchy
4. Dominations, Virtues, Powers
5. Lower hierarchy
6. Principalities, Archangels, Angels

A brief note on each of the choirs of angels:

The Seraphim: It is the plural form of the Hebrew word Seraph which means to burn. This name occurs twice in the Bible in Isaiah 6. They glow with the love of God which keeps them ever close to the throne of God. They are consumed with the fire of Divine love of which they are created representatives and they give this love and light to the lesser choirs of angels. Their primary duty is to sing without ceasing to God celebrating above all the Holiness of God.

The Cherubin: it arises from the singular word Cherub. In the bible they appear as heavenly custodians and protectors of holy places and holy things. The role assigned to the Cherubin by God is clearly given in the bible in GEN 3:24 ‘when the Lord God sent man out of the Garden of Eden, he drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the Cherubin and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. A specific duty of Cherubin seems to be that of being the throne-bearers of Almighty God. Just as the Seraphim are regarded as the spirit of divine love, so are the cherubim considered as the spirits of heavenly wisdom. Their name signifies ‘fullness of knowledge’. They enlighten the lesser choirs of angels and are to them voice of Divine Wisdom.

The Thrones: 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.

Their main characteristics are submission and peace.

God rests upon the Thrones and in a certain manner conveys this spirit by these angels who in turn communicate to the inferior angels and to men.

The Dominations: St. Paul mentions the Dominations. The name given to the Holy Dominations means a certain unbounded elevation to that which is above, freedom from all that is terrestrial and form all inward inclination to the bondage of discord. They rule over all angelic orders charged with the execution of the command of the Great Monarch.

The virtues: St. Peter mentions “Angels, Power and Virtues” referring to good angels. According to Dionysius the name of the holy virtues signifies a certain powerful and unshakeable courage, ascending unwaveringly to the super essential Virtue which is the source of all virtues flowing forth. Providentially to those below it, filling them abundantly with virtue. They carry out the orders issued by the dominators.

The powers: The name of this choir is found in the Old Testament as in Daniel. In the New Testament the name takes on the more specific meaning of a particular order of heavenly spirits. They are appointed in a special way to fight against the evil spirits and to defeat their wicked plans.

The principalities: These preside over the third Hierarchy. Their duties are executive in regard to the visible world of men. They also guard the nations of the earth. Sovereign Principalities in virtue of the Divine Blood, govern also our souls and our bodies and assist in the attainment of our eternal destination.

The Archangels: They are leaders among the angels and superior to the choir of angels. The Archangels are entrusted with the more important mission to men. They are also given as guardians to great personages such as the Holy Father, Cardinals, Bishops, Ruler of the States and others who have special work to do for the glory of the God upon earth. The Sacred Scriptures introduce us to only three of the Glorious Prince of Heaven, the Archangels St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, whose feast is celebrated on 29th of September.

St. Michael: God’s Marshall

The early church Fathers recognized the importance of the angels and archangels, particularly St. Michael. St. Basil and other Greek Fathers ranked St. Michael as the prince of all the Angels. The Holy Church refers to him as the “Prince of the Heavenly Hosts” irrespective of the Choirs.

In our Catholic tradition, St. Michael has four duties

1) To continue to wage battle against Satan and the other fallen angels.

2) To save the soul of the faithful from the power of the Satan especially at the

hour  of death.

3) To protect the people of God both the Jews of the Old Covenant and the

Christians of the new Covenant.

4) Finally to lead the souls departed from their life and present them to our Lord for the particular Judgement and at the end of the time for the Final Judgement.

For these reasons Christian’s iconography respects St. Michael as a knight-warrior, wearing battle armour and wielding a sword or spear, while standing triumphantly a serpent or other representation of Satan. Sometimes he is depicted holding the scales of Justice or the book of life, both symbols of the last judgement. For the greater part of this century in earlier times, the faithful recited the prayer to St. Michael at the end of the mass. Pope Leo XIII (1903) had a prophetic vision of the coming century of sorrow and war. After celebrating mass, the Holy Father was conferring with his cardinals. Suddenly he fell to the floor. The cardinals immediately called for a doctor. No pulse was detected and the Holy Father was feared dead. Just as suddenly Pope Leo awoke and said “What a horrible picture I was permitted to see!” In this vision, God gave Satan the choice of one century in which to do his worst against the church. The devil it is believed chose the 20th century and a greater power over those who will give themselves over to his service. Through prayers and sacrifices and good Christian lives, they could offset the power of the devil and his human agents. It was then that Leo XIII saw the great role St. Michael was to play in this mortal conflict. As he had anurled Lucifer and the fallen angels out of heaven after the first revolt against God, “so, for he could play a great part in the battle to come, and would eventually cast Satan again into hell.  So moved was the Holy Father by his vision that he composed the prayer to St. Michael as follows:

St. Michael the Archangel defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and Shares 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 the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII ordered this prayer to be said at the conclusion of mass in 1886. When Pope Paul VI issued the Novus Ordo of the mass in 1968 the prayer of St. Michael and the reading of the last gospel at the end of the mass were suppressed. In the spring of 1994, our late holy father Pope John Paul II urged the faithful  to offer the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and suggested that the recitation of the prayer be initiated at mass again but he did not mandate the recitation of the prayer at mass. Clearly the Holy Father was responding to the grave evils we see fore sent in over the world. With Satan and the other fallen angels doing their best to lead souls to hell.

The Holy Church recognizes the exalted dignity and power of St. Michael by the veneration she prays to him from the earliest time as is evidenced from the writings of the Fathers. Under the old laws the Archangel was the guardian of the Hebrew nation as is indicated in the books of Daniel: “Michael, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people” now the prophet’s people were of curse the Jews. And again it is accepted as without doubt that the angel of the Lord who was assigned to the Israelites in the days of Moses, to guide them through the dessert and to bring them into the idolatrous nation whom it was Gods will to destroy through them, was the same great Michael “behold I will send my Angels who shall go before thee” the Lord said to Israel (Ex. 23:20)

It is related that in Rome also churches were built in honour of St. Michael as far back as 494. During the Pontificator of St. Gregory the Great a terrible pestilence depopulated the city of Rome. The Sovereign Pontiff ordered a penitential procession during which he himself carried a statue of the blessed Virgin. Eighty persons died in the ranks of the procession itself. Still the Pontiff continued crossing the Tiber, they heard the songs of the Angels in the skies. Suddenly above the castle of San Angelo, St. Michael appeared in gigantic size. In his right hand, he held a sword which he thrust into the scabbard. At the same moment the persistence ceased.

As a remedy against these frightful evils, we are urged to invoke the aid of that Glorious Prince of Heaven who rendered all Glory to God by conquering Lucifer and casting him into the abyss.

St. Gabriel: God’s Ambassador

The name Gabriel has been interpreted as ‘strength of God.’ Of the three archangels mentioned in Holy Scriptures, St. Gabriel appears to be the king of Heavens Chief Ambassador, fittingly endowed with dignity, graciousness knowledge and discretion. And of all the embassies on which he was sent, the greatest was to announce the wonderful mystery of the incarnation and the mighty work of the redemption through the shedding of Jesus’ blood. It was he who was at the annunciation first spoke those words to Mary which ceaselessly re-echo round the earth: ‘hail, full of grace, the lord is with thee’ (Lk 1:28). He is also considered our blessed mothers guardian in a very special way.

Though his name is not expressly mentioned, we may well believe according to tradition that it was St. Gabriel who announced to the shepherds in Bethlehem of the birth of our sweet Lord, and that it was he who led the multitude of blessed spirits who sang around the cribs the heavenly song: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among men of good will.” It was he also who consoled dear St. Joseph in his sorrows, and accompanied the Holy Family in their flight into Egypt. And now, in addition to these ancient celestial assignments, St. Gabriel has also been proclaimed Patron of Radio and Television by Pope Pius XII. Lastly, St. Gabriel is looked upon as the angel who comforted our Lord when he suffered his bloody Agony in the Garden of Olives.

 

St Raphael: Gods physician

St Raphael’s name signifies “Medicine of God.” His reputation as physician and guide of travelers is the story in the Holy Scriptures, which relates how he brought heeling to the elder Tobin’s, released Sara from being molested by devil, and gave to the youthful pilgrim in his charge safety, guidance and most noble championship. St. Raphael is the angel of peace, of health and of joy. “Joy be to thee, always” was his salutation to Tobias. He is the angel sent in Gods providence, to guide and to guard, to heal and save. Oh, St. Raphael, Medicine of God, Angel of happy meetings, of peace and of joy, we beseech thee, cure our infirmities of soul and body in virtue of divine Blood, source of all heeling graces.

May the blessed Archangels and all the Holy Angels of God intercede for us!!!

 

Written by

Dr. Alfred Antao

(Referred widely to the book ‘Devotion to St. Michael and the Holy Angels’ by Francis S. Barreto)