Dear Susan,

Salutations! How are you doing? Just four days ago on October 2nd we celebrated the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Throughout Sacred Scripture the presence and activity of angels within the history of salvation are numerous. From the unnamed angel with whom Jacob wrestled in the Book of Genesis (32:22-31) to the angels who “ministered to” Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4:11) to the angels in the Book of Revelation (4, 7, 15, 22) these spiritual beings have a special purpose and plan within the order of creation. Those who have significant messages to deliver are referred to as Archangels and within the Bible there are only three who are named explicitly: Raphael (Book of Tobit), Michael (Daniel, Jude, and Revelation), and Gabriel (Luke). The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers some solid teachings about the angels and the roles that they play:

The existence of angels - a truth of faith

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.

Who are they?

St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel.'" With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. 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.

Christ "with all his angels"

Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. "They belong to him because they were created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him."

The angels in the life of the Church

In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels…From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." (Excerpts taken from CCC 328-336)

Life With Christ,

Fr. James Peterson

P.S. Perhaps you already know this, but it’s worth noting that within our Archdiocese there are two parishes named in honor of the Guardian Angels and are located in Chaska and Oakdale respectively. We pray for them just a few a days after their patronal namesake Feast Day. I would propose that we pray the traditional “Angel of God” prayer for them: aleteia.org

Within the Gospel at the Daily Mass (Luke 11:5-13) which of the following words is not present in the passage?

A. Ask

B. Seek

C. Knock

D. Strive     

See the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.

You can watch with your free parish subscription by simply selecting our parish’s name during registration at formed.org/signup.

D. Strive 

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