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Catholic Question Corner
What do angels look like?
The truth is, angels don’t “look like” anything. They are pure spirit and don’t have bodies, so there is nothing our physical senses could “perceive.”
“But the Bible is full of angels showing up,” you say. “The Angel Gabriel came to Mary. And aren’t there saints who saw their guardian angels?” Well, angels have indeed appeared to quite a few people. That doesn’t mean they have bodies. It’s just that the angel—by God’s power—has chosen to present a visible image of himself that is symbolic of the virtues he possesses or of an attribute of God. Angels do this to help us out, since we human beings are limited by our five senses.
Angels appear so beautiful and awe-inspiring that the people who “see” them usually fall down with fear or are tempted to worship them. Their holiness and power shines from their faces, radiating a light unlike any in the physical world. Since they always see God, and are continually in His presence, they reflect His goodness and holiness.
As the Bible and the saints reveal, angels always assume a masculine form, appearing either as a man or a young boy. It is believed that they do this to honor God, who is our Father, and Jesus Christ, who became man to save us from our sins. As warriors, angels also exhibit virtues that are particularly associated with masculine traits.
Although most of us will never “see” an angel, they are always with us. Each of us has a guardian angel who never leaves our side and who is tireless in helping us attain salvation.
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