CATECHISM ON ANGELS

Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who. serve His saving plans for other creatures: "The angels work together for the benefit of us all."' (350)

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. (328)

With their whole beings, the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do His word, hearkening to the voice of His word. (329)

As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears wit~ ness.3 (330)

Christ is the centre 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."' They belong to Him still more because He has made them messengers of His saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (331)

Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near serving accomplishment of the divine Plan. (332)

From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

'Let all God's angels worship Him."" Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!"8 They protect Jesus in His infancy, serve Him in the desert, and strengthen Him in His agony in the garden, when He could have been saved by them from the hands of His enemies as Israel had been. Again, it is the angels who "evangelize". by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection. They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at His judgment. (333)

In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. (334)

From infancy to 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."9 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. (336)

Satan, or the devil, and the other demons are fallen angels who have freely refused to serve God and His plan. Their choice against God is definitive. They try to associate man in their revolt against God. (414)

We find a reflection of that rebellion in the tempter's words to our first parents: "You will be like God."" The devil "has sinned from the beginning";" he is "a liar and the father of lies."" (392)

The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and His kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good for those who love Him. 1113 (395)

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