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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Re: Angels	Benjamin	Thursday, July 22, 2010
Question: Where did you get that teaching about the angels? (is the majority of it biblical? or is the majority oral tradition?) I also find it interesting that the archangels are the 8th choir or class.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Benjamin: The bible only mentions three angels by name--Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. St. Paul mentions a hierarchy in Colossians 1:16: ...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. St. Paul also implies a hierarchy of demons with similar names in Ephesians 6:12: For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Te Bible, however, gives almost no information about these choirs of angels or demons. Any detailed information comes from tradition. The Church tradition includes the Chaplet of St. Michael, which mentions the nine choirs of Angels. As to a "choir" of demons we know from St. Paul that the hierarchy of demons is similar to angels, but not exact. I am guessing, but here goes, highest to lowest: Pride/Blasphemy/Hate Imprudence Injustice Tyranny Disgrace/Cowardice Infiltration (Powers) Principalities Archdemons Demons For a complete discussion of about angels and demons I refer you to Peter Kreeft's book, Angels and Demons: What Do We Really Know About Them?, in which discusses St. Thomas Aquinas teaching on the issue. Also good to read is the Catholic Encyclopedia on Angels. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Re: Angels

Benjamin

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Question:

Where did you get that teaching about the angels? (is the majority of it biblical? or is the majority oral tradition?)

I also find it interesting that the archangels are the 8th choir or class.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Benjamin:

The bible only mentions three angels by name--Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. St. Paul mentions a hierarchy in Colossians 1:16:

...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.

St. Paul also implies a hierarchy of demons with similar names in Ephesians 6:12:

For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Te Bible, however, gives almost no information about these choirs of angels or demons. Any detailed information comes from tradition.

The Church tradition includes the Chaplet of St. Michael, which mentions the nine choirs of Angels.

As to a "choir" of demons we know from St. Paul that the hierarchy of demons is similar to angels, but not exact. I am guessing, but here goes, highest to lowest:

Pride/Blasphemy/Hate
Imprudence
Injustice
Tyranny
Disgrace/Cowardice
Infiltration (Powers)
Principalities
Archdemons
Demons

For a complete discussion of about angels and demons I refer you to Peter Kreeft's book, Angels and Demons: What Do We Really Know About Them?, in which discusses St. Thomas Aquinas teaching on the issue.

Also good to read is the Catholic Encyclopedia on Angels.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum