Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
hearkening to the voice of his word!
~ * ~ Psalm 103:20 ~ * ~
Angels are pure spirits, sinless servants of God. As in Hebrews 1:13-14, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?". The Angels are comprised of 9 choirs, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.
Seraphim
Highest order of choir. They are the attendants or guardians before God’s Throne.
Cherubim
Second highest in the order. They have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise him.
Thrones
Angels of humility, peace and submission.
Dominions
Angels of Leadership. They assign the duties to all other angels and carry the commands of God.
Virtues
Spirits of motion, they control the elements and govern nature. They are referred to as “the shining ones”.
Powers
Warrior Angels that defend the cosmos and humans. They fight against evil spirits.
Archangels
Leading angels. They have the unique role of being God’s messengers. More on this hierarch of Angels follows in this post.
Principalities
Christ rules directly over the Principalities.
Angels
This is the lowest choir and the one closest to the material world and human beings. They have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any given time. They are caring and always willing to assist those that ask for their help.
Particularly powerful are the 7 great Archangels spoken of in Revelation 8:2 "And I saw 7 Angels standing in the presence of God". St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel are 3 most known and invoked archangels which us found in Sacred Scripture.
St. Michael the Archangel, whose name means "Who is like unto God?". Patron of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. St. Michael is Leader of the Armies of Heaven. As a warrior he defends not only our souls against the infernal enemy when we call on him, but he also defends Our Lord, Who is helpless in the Blessed Sacrament. This is a portent of his authority to punish those who sin against this Sacrament. "And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels: And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Revelation 12:7-9.
source : http://www.7archangels.info/St.html
St. Gabriel the Archangel, whose name means "Might of God" or "Strength of God". Patron of the Sacrament of Baptism. St. Gabriel is the Archangel of the Annunciation and the Incarnation's triumph over sin and death. His lilies represent the new purity of the soul through the sacraments of Baptism and Confession, both sacraments made possible by the Redemption. His banner is a declaration of Our Lady's universal motherhood.
St. Raphael the Archangel, whose name means "Healing of God". Patron of the Sacrament of Pennance. St. Raphael carries a jug of oil for annointing. The fish traditionally symbolizes the soul and the oil the healing of it's ailments through confession. The fish is also a reminder of the story of his protection of young Tobias and healing his father Tobit. (see the book of Tobit in the Old Testament for his story; only a Catholic bible will contain this book.)
St. Uriel the Archangel, whose name means "Fire of God". Patron of the Sacrament of Confirmation. St. Uriel carries the Sword of Truth for Soldiers of Christ, which we become through this sacrament. Fire reminds us of the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost and the flames of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. It reminds us that our hearts should burn with love for God like the holiest of Seraphim, like the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. St. Uriel carries the scales by which we are to weigh our actions. It is also a reminder of the Scales of Perfect Justice by which our lives are weighed at our judgement.
St. Jehudiel the Archangel, whose name means "Praise of God". Patron of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, annointing of the sick & dying. St. Jehudiel carries the flaming crown of salvation, a symbol of God's mercy and the crown of the victory of grace which awaits the saints in the next life. It is also a reminder of the crown of sufferings to be endured in this life in imitation of Our Lord.
St. Sealtiel the Archangel, whose name means "Prayer of God". Patron of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. St. Sealtiel carries an incenser, symbol of the prayers & offering of the Divine Sacifice of the Mass, only through the actions of the ordained. "And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel." Revelation 8:3-4.
St. Barachiel the Archangel, whose name means "Blessings of God". Patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony. St. Barachiel carries an abundant basket of bread, the staff of life, symbolizing Christian parenthood and it's grave responsibilities both spiritual & temporal, to produce and provide for, the children God desires of married couples. He is a powerful intercessor for the barren as well as for troubled marriages. He carries in his hand a book, a reminder of the wealth of instructions in the Holy Scripture, the writings of the saints and Papal encyclicals for husbands, wives and children concerning marriage and family life.
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