Saints and Archangels
Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
The names of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are given to us in holy scripture. The Church did not invent them. In fact, when a certain church in Germany was dedicated to the Seven Spirits Who Stand Before the Throne of God, giving four of the seven spirits names from apocryphal works, Rome commanded that the bishop use either Michael, Gabriel, or Raphael, no other names are allowed by the Church.
We depict angels as masculine because they are active and stronger than any man, even than Sampson in his glory. It is fitting. Pagans worshipped goddesses in human form, figures for lustful eyes. Personally, I believe statues of angels, ought to be masculine figures, never, as you sometimes see, androgynous. If naming one’s guardian angel were allowed by the Church then you would quickly find silly people using women’s names for their guardian angel, when even a man’s name is unworthy of their greatness. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael gave us their names in Hebrew. They are derived from the name for God, which is masculine, “El.” There is only one Michael, one Gabriel, and one Raphael.
Archangels, on the other hand, are spiritual beings created by God to serve as messengers, protectors, and guides. In Christianity, their role is to carry out God's will and provide assistance and protection to humans.
The Seven Archangels in the Book of Enoch
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Raguel, Remiel, Uriel, Saraquel
Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are in both Testaments. The four other Archangels are in the Apocalyptic Literature.
God said to Moses, “I will show kindness to anyone to whom I want to show kindness, and I will show mercy to anyone to whom I want to.”
Romans 9:15 NCV
Nine-Levels of angelic hierarchy flowing from the creation of the world is the sacred Trinity.
Highest orders - Seraphim Cherubim Ophanim (thrones)
Middle orders - Dominions Virtues Powers.
Lowest orders - Principalities Archangels Angels.
1. Angels: These might just be called "regular angels." They are guardians of people and all physical things and are the most common type of angels. These angels are sent as messengers to humanity. Personal guardian angels come from this category. Angels may protect and warn humans, as well as act as warriors on behalf of God.
2. Archangels: These, along with the angels, are guardians of people and all things physical. But don't call on them to help you personally; archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind, such as justice. This order is most known because some are mentioned by name in the Bible — Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Archangels engage in spiritual warfare by fighting against demons (e.g., Michael) or bring messages from God, such as when Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she was going to be the mother of Jesus. It is believed there are only seven archangels.
3. Principalities: The third group of angels is the one ordinary humans will have the most interaction with. First in this group are the principalities. These angelic beings are shaped like rays of light. Just like a principal in school, the principalities oversee everything. They guide our entire world — nations, cities and towns. What's more, they are in charge of religion and politics. As if their plate isn't full enough, they are also in charge of managing the earthly duties of the angels below them.
4. Powers: In their celestial forms, powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Powers are border patrol agents between heaven and Earth. They are the angels of birth and death. Some believe that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world, while others, namely St. Paul, thought the powers themselves were the evil ones. In any case, powers are a group of experts who serve as advisers in terms of religion, theology and ideology.
5. Virtues: Shaped like sparks of light, virtues oversee maintaining the natural world, and they inspire living things in areas such as science. They also take orders from the angels above and convert them into miracles for the deserving. When they make themselves known to us in their earthly forms, they are musicians, artists, healers and scientists who work with the power of love, as well as physics. The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are believed to have been virtues.
6. Dominations: The angels in the second group can exist in a state of transition between the celestial and human worlds. They are considered heavenly governors, attempting to strike a balance between matter and spirit, good and bad. Think of dominions as middle management. They receive orders from seraphim and cherubim, then dish out duties to the "worker bee" angels of the lower orders. Their main purpose is to make sure that the cosmos remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures. Zadkiel (sometimes called Hashmal) is the chief of this order.
7. Thrones: Thrones' appearance is perhaps the most bizarre of the first grouping. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They serve as God's chariot and dispense his judgment in order to carry out his desires for us.
8. Cherubim: These angels are the keepers of celestial records and hold the knowledge of God. They are sent to Earth with great tasks, such as expelling humankind from the Garden of Eden. Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces, not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Ophaniel, Rikbiel and Zophiel are cherubim, as was Satan before his fall to evil.
9. Seraphin: Seraphim means "the fiery ones." It is the plural of the word "seraph." These angels are mentioned in the Bible as having faces, hands and feet. Each seraph has six wings, four of which they used to cover themselves in the presence of God as a sign of humility; they use the other two to fly. They cry out "holy, holy, holy" and appear to worship God continuously. They are often depicted in religious art. These are the angels who are closest to God. They encircle his throne and emit an intense, fiery light representing his love. Seraphim are considered "fiery serpents," and not even the other divine beings may look at them. There are only four of them, and each has four faces. When they come to Earth, they leave their serpent appearance behind, preferring tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments.
Saints are often regarded as individuals who have lived exceptionally holy lives and are believed to have a special closeness to God. They are seen as intercessors, meaning they can pray on behalf of living individuals to God.
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick. She was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, now part of North Macedonia, and died on September 5, 1997, in Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that focused on providing care, love, and support to the "poorest of the poor" in the slums of Calcutta and other parts of the world. She and her order worked to alleviate the suffering of the sick, the homeless, and the needy, and they established hospices, schools, and centers for the poor and disabled. Her selfless dedication to serving those in need earned her numerous awards and accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize 1979. Mother Teresa's work and humble lifestyle made her a beloved figure worldwide. She was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016. Mother Teresa's life and work continue to inspire people to help those less fortunate and to live a life of compassion and service.
The Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul, also known as Saint Paul or Paul of Tarsus, is one of the most significant figures in early Christianity. He was crucial in spreading Christianity across the Roman Empire and is credited with writing many New Testament books. Here are some key points about the Apostle Paul:
Early Life: Paul was born in Tarsus (in modern-day Turkey) around 5-10 AD. His birth name was Saul, and he was a Jewish Pharisee.
Conversion: Paul is best known for his dramatic conversion to Christianity. According to the Bible, he was initially a zealous persecutor of early Christians. However, he had a transformative encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, which led to his conversion.
Missionary Work: After his conversion, Paul became a devoted follower of Jesus and embarked on several missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire. He preached the Gospel and established Christian communities in various cities.
Letters and Epistles: Paul is credited with writing several books in the New Testament of the Bible, including Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These letters contain theological teachings and guidance for early Christian communities.
Theology: Paul's writings significantly shaped Christian theology. He emphasized the importance of faith in Jesus Christ, salvation by grace, and justification by faith. His teachings on these topics have had a profound influence on Christian doctrine.
Council of Jerusalem: Paul was involved in the Council of Jerusalem, where early Christian leaders debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs, including circumcision. The council's decision, primarily influenced by Paul's arguments, allowed for a more inclusive form of Christianity that didn't require Gentiles to follow Jewish law.
Martyrdom: It is believed that Paul was eventually arrested and imprisoned by the Roman authorities, possibly in Rome. According to tradition, he was beheaded around 67 AD under the Roman Emperor Nero.
The Apostle Paul's contributions to the early Christian church and his writings are highly influential in Christian theology and practice. His missionary efforts helped spread Christianity to various regions of the Roman Empire, making him a central figure in the history of Christianity.
St. Christopher and the Shield of Faith
The most commonly accepted narrative about Saint Christopher is as follows:
Background: Christopher was born in the 3rd century, likely in the region that is now modern-day Turkey. He was a man of considerable size and strength and initially served as a pagan king.
Conversion: Christopher converted to Christianity after meeting a hermit who preached to him about Jesus Christ. He decided to dedicate his life to serving Christ.
Service to Others: Christopher's legendary service made him famous. He became known for helping people cross a dangerous river. He would carry them on his shoulders, often against strong currents, making it possible for them to reach the other side safely.
Encounter with the Christ Child: A child asked Christopher to carry him across the river one day while performing this service. As Christopher took the child on his shoulders, he felt his weight growing increasingly heavy, as if the world was on his shoulders. The child revealed himself to be Jesus Christ, and this experience led to Christopher's recognition as the patron saint of travelers.
Martyrdom: After his encounter with the Christ Child, Christopher continued to spread Christianity. He refused to worship pagan gods and was arrested by the Roman authorities. Christopher endured torture and was eventually martyred for his faith around 250 AD.
He is often depicted as a tall man carrying the Christ Child on his shoulders while crossing a river.
It's important to note that while Saint Christopher is a revered figure in the Christian tradition, his feast is no longer recognized on the Catholic liturgical calendar, but he remains a Saint. Nonetheless, he remains a symbol of protection and assistance for travelers in many cultures, and his image can often be found on medals, pendants, and other items worn by those seeking his intercession for safe journeys.
St. Michael Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel is significant in various religious traditions, including Christianity. He is often depicted as a mighty angelic being who serves as a warrior and protector against evil forces. Here is some information about Saint Michael in different religious contexts.
In Christian tradition, Saint Michael is considered one of the most essential archangels. He is mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the Book of Daniel and Revelation. In the Book of Daniel (Daniel 10:13), Michael is described as "one of the chief princes" who comes to the aid of the archangel Gabriel.
Saint Michael is often depicted as a warrior angel, defeating Satan and casting him out of heaven. This imagery is mainly associated with the story of the war in heaven, as described in Revelation 12:7-9.
He is considered the patron saint of soldiers, police officers, and those who defend others. Many churches and religious institutions are dedicated to Saint Michael.