ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2018

Author: Br. Bitaju

Q. Are angels real? 

The testimony of the Bible and the teaching of the Church are clear on the existence of angels and the help they render us. Both Old and New Testaments speak often of angels. After the Fall of Adam and Eve and their expulsion, the cherubim guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24). Angels protected Lot and his family in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1). An angel stopped Abraham as he was about to offer Isaac in sacrifice (Gen. 22); the angel of God guarded the people on their way to the Promised Land (Ex 23:20). In the New Testament, angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Lk 1:26-38); angels ministered to Christ often in Scripture (Mt 4:11 and Lk 22:43); an angel appeared to the centurion Cornelius and prompted his conversion (Acts 10:1ff); and an angel freed St. Peter from prison (Acts 12:1ff). Hebrews 1:14 summarises their role well: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to serve those who are to inherit salvation?”

Nine choirs or types of angels are identified in the Bible, and since the 4th century have

been elaborated upon by various theologians. The Scripture identifies by name three

angels, who are the great messengers of God – Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. They are

called Archangels because of their important roles in God’s plan. Michael, whose name

means, “one who is like God,” led the army of angels who cast Satan and the rebellious

angels into hell; at the end of time, he will wield the sword of justice to separate the

righteous from the evil (Rev 12:7-0). Gabriel, whose name means “strength of God,”

announced to Mary that she had been chosen as the Mother of the Saviour (Lk 1:26-

38). Raphael, whose name means “remedy of God,” cured the blind man Tobit (Tobit 5).

The Catechism clearly affirms that “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” (CCC 328). Given that we do believe in angels, we

define them as pure spirits and personal beings with intelligence and free will. They are

immortal beings. 

Q. Can we ask them for help?

The Catechism states, “From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful

care and intercession” (CCC 336). St. Basil asserted, “Beside each believer stands an

angel protector and shepherd leading him to life”. Most of us at an early age learned the

little prayer to our guardian angel: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love

commits me here.  Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide”.

Let us recall some of the liturgical practices of the Church where we call upon the angels

for their assistance. At Mass, in the Preface before the Eucharistic Prayer, we join with

all the angels and saints to sing the hymn of praise, “Holy, Holy, Holy….”.  In Eucharistic

Prayer I, the priest prays, “Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice

to your altar in heaven”. In the Final Commendation of the Funeral Liturgy, the priest

prays, “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you

and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem”. Moreover, we celebrate in

our liturgical calendar the Feasts of the Archangels (September 29) and Guardian

Angels (October 2).