Choirs of Angels

Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church

 Choirs of Angels - Overview
Third Hierarchy
Seraphim
Cherubim
Thrones
Second Hierarchy
Dominations
Virtues
Powers
First Hierarchy
It seems that God has created various orders of Angels. Sacred Scripture
Principalities
distinguishes nine such groupings (Isa. 6: 2; Gen. 3: 24; Col. 1: 16; Eph.
1: 21; Rom. 8: 38). The Seraphim is believed to be the highest Choir, the Archangels
most intimately united to God, while the Angelic Choir is the lowest. Angels
 Choirs of Angels
The Chaplet of St. Michael

The history of this Chaplet goes back to a devout Servant of God, Antonia d'Astonac, who had a
vision of St. Michael. He told Antonia to honor him by nine salutations to the nine Choirs of
Angels. St. Michael promised that whoever would practice this devotion in his honor would
have, when approaching Holy Communion, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of
the nine Choirs. In addition, for those who would recite the Chaplet daily, he promised his
continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life, and after death deliverance from
purgatory for themselves and their relations.
 Choirs of Angels
The Chaplet of St. Michael
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit

[Say one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s after each of the following nine salutations in honor
of the nine Choirs of Angels]

1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us
worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen
2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us
the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen
3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into
our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen
4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations may the Lord give us
grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen
 Choirs of Angels
The Chaplet of St. Michael
5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us
from evil and falling into temptation. Amen
6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our
souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen
7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our
souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen
8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us
perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven.
Amen
9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to
be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven. Amen
 Choirs of Angels
The Chaplet of St. Michael
Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel,
St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.
Concluding prayer
O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls,
vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you
with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more
faithfully every day. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ,
that we may be made worthy of His promises. Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a
prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most
glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be
delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we
may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our
Lord. Amen
 Choirs of Angels - Angels
• From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside Angele
each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Dei prayer
Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God [CCC 336]
• Although it is certain that the faithful have guardian angels, it is commonly thought that they are even Angel of
more widely available. Ludwig Ott explains: God,
• According to the general teaching of the theologians, however, not only every baptized person, but my guardian
every human being, including unbelievers, has his own special guardian angel from his birth dear,
[Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, 120]. to whom
• This understanding is reflected in an Angelus address by Benedict XVI, who stated: God's love
• Dear friends, the Lord is ever close and active in humanity’s history and accompanies us with the commits me
unique presence of his Angels, whom today the Church venerates as “Guardian Angels”, that here,
is, ministers of the divine care for every human being. From the beginning until the hour of death, ever this
human life is surrounded by their constant protection [Angelus, Oct. 2, 2011]. day,
• The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments explains: be at my
• Devotion to the Holy Angels gives rise to a certain form of the Christian life which is characterized by: side,
• devout gratitude to God for having placed these heavenly spirits of great sanctity and dignity at to light and
the service of man guard,
• an attitude of devotion deriving from the knowledge of living constantly in the presence of the rule and
Holy Angels of God - serenity and confidence in facing difficult situations guide.
Amen.
 Choirs of Angels - Archangels
The three Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the only angels named in Sacred Scripture and all Tradition
three have important roles in the history of salvation. recognizes four
• Saint Michael is the "Prince of the Heavenly Host," the leader of all the angels. offices of Saint
• His name is Hebrew for "Who is like God?" and was the battle cry of the good angels against Lucifer Michael
• He is mentioned four times in the Bible, in Daniel 10 and 12, in the letter of Jude, and in Revelation. • Fight against
• Pope Leo XIII, in 1899, having had a prophetic vision of the evil that would be inflicted upon the Church Satan
and the world in the 20th century, instituted a prayer asking for Saint Michael's protection to be said at • Rescue the
the end of every Mass. souls of the
• Saint Gabriel, whose name means "God's strength," is mentioned four times in the Bible. faithful from
• Gabriel's two mentions in the New Testament: to announce the birth of John the Baptist to his the power of
father Zacharias, and the at Incarnation of the Word in the womb of Mary. the enemy,
• Christian tradition suggests that it is he who appeared to St. Joseph and to the shepherds, and also especially at
that it was he who "strengthened" Jesus during his agony in the garden of Gethsemane. the hour of
• "I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" (Tob 12:15) death
• Raphael means "God has healed" because of his healing of Tobias' blindness. Tobit is the only book in • Be the
which he is mentioned. champion of
• Raphael is also identified with the angel in John 5:1-4 who descended upon the pond and bestowed God's people
healing powers upon it so that the first to enter it after it moved would be healed of whatever infirmity • Call away from
he was suffering. earth and bring
men's souls to
Should they be called Saints? judgment.
 Choirs of Angels - Principalities
• The highest place in the ministering hierarchy belongs to the Principalities.
• This choir, exercising a more authoritative role over the lower ministering angels, reveals the wisdom of God’s
plan to them by instructing them as to their respective responsibilities.
• They are a bridge connecting the ministerial order with the more knowledgeable hierarchy above them. The
Principalities stand watch over kingdoms, countries, states, and provinces.
• They are appointed directly to guard and guide the Pope and the more influential bishops.
• There are also evil Principalities who had joined Satan in his rebellion against God and thus there are also
Principalities appointed by Satan to influence nations and cities for evil, which is evident by the fact that in
Daniel 10:13 the Prophet Daniel is told by an angel that there was a spiritual power referred to as the prince
of Persia who that angel was in conflict with until the Archangel Michael came to his aid.
• The Angel of Portugal, made an appearance to three little children to prepare them for the coming of Our
Lady and her Fatima message for the world.
• The Principalities are the overseers or managers of all the multitude of lower spirits who are ministering to
men.
 Choirs of Angels - Powers
• The Powers are considered Warrior Angels as they defend against evil, defending not only the cosmos but also
humanity.
• They are also called the Powers because they have power over the devil, in order to restrain the power of the
demons.
• They also help people who are wrestling with passions ad vices to cast out any evil promoted by the enemy.
• Collaborate, in power and authority, with the Principalities.
• They are bearers of conscience and keepers of history.
• Their duty is to oversee the distribution of power among humankind.
• Are given the duty to order out how to execute what has been commanded.
• Direct the lower choirs on how to order creation.
 Choirs of Angels - Virtues
• Virtues are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements.
• They are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones."
• They govern all nature. They have control over seasons, stars, moon; even the sun is subject to their command.
• They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor.
• Energy and strength are attributed to the Virtues.
• God assigns them to such persons who strive unceasingly with all their soul to sanctify themselves, and who, even after
they have successfully uprooted their failings, still continue to apply all possible remedies of spiritual and corporal
penance to make certain their eternal salvation.
• Some priests have an Angel of this choir ever at their side. Such priests are usually very self-sacrificing, very strict with
themselves, and do not tire in mortifying themselves. Such souls are the favored ones of the Virtues.
• Some great sinners receive such an Angel after their conversion. The Angel admonishes them night and day, and the
penitents never weaken in following their guidance, for these Angels have the power necessary to help them persevere.
• All persons inclined to the contemplative life should call on this choir of Angels for help, for good thoughts alone do not
make holy, one needs also strength to persevere and to accomplish this great task.
 Choirs of Angels - Dominions
• Dominions are Angels of Leadership.
• They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God.
• Regulate the duties of lower angels.
• Extreme rarity that they make themselves physically known to humans and are believed to look like beautiful
humans with feathered wings as shown in art.
• They are also the angels who preside over nations.
• Help us to overcome our sinful behaviors.
• During Lent they help us to practice penance

"For by Him all things were created that are in Heaven and that are on Earth. Visible and invisible, whether
Thrones or Dominions." Colossions 1:16
 Choirs of Angels - Thrones
• Thrones are the Angels of pure:
• Humility
• Peace
• Submission
• They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape.
• The lower Choir of Angels need the Thrones to access God.
• Can be thought of as beings raised up to form the seat of God’s authority and mercy.
• These angels are especially concerned with divine judgments and ordinances.
 Choirs of Angels - Cherubim
• They were closely linked in God's glory.
• They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and were guardians of God's glory.
• They symbolized then, God's power and mobility.
• In the New Testament, they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (Rev 4-6).
• Catholic tradition describes them as angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise Him.
• The cherubim have a deep intellectual knowledge of divine secrets and of the ultimate causes of things
• Their name means “all-knowing one.”
• They constantly contemplate the wisdom and the love of God in His relationship with mankind.
• They reflect His omniscience.
• The cherubim were the mighty adorers of the first covenant in its wisdom; images of the cherubim were the only images
of beings that were permitted in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem.
• Their carved figures adorned the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, which prefigured both the Virgin Mary “tabernacling” the
unborn Christ and the Eucharistic tabernacles of our churches, containing the new manna of Christ’s sacramental Body
and Blood.
• Embroideries of the cherubim also covered the beautiful drapery that separated the Holy of Holies from the outer court
of the Temple. It was that veil that was ripped from top to bottom when Our Lord died on the Cross as the sign that He
had passed into the Eternal Sanctuary and that the Temple of Jerusalem had fulfilled its purpose (Matt. 27:51).
• The cherubim are still considered protectors of the New Covenant and so are often depicted on tabernacles and
Eucharistic vessels.
 Choirs of Angels - Seraphim
• Are the angels closest to God.
• They reflect the highest attribute of God manifest in creation: His love.
• They are on fire with the love of God
• Name means “incandescent ones” or “burning ones.”
• Classical sacred art portrays them as entirely red and ablaze.
• They are usually depicted as having six wings but no faces — simply a sea or ring of flame around the Holy
Trinity.
• Because of this burning love, more than any other angel they have the most perfect knowledge of God, which
makes them the most perfect adorers.
• St. Jerome notes that they not only burn by themselves, but they also inflame others with the love of God.
• According to the prophet Isaiah, the seraphim are the angels whom he hears crying out “Holy, holy, holy,” as
one of them purifies Isaiah’s mouth with a coal from the altar so that he might serve as the Lord’s messenger
(Isa. 6:3–8).
• It was a seraph who appeared to St. Francis of Assisi when he received the stigmata.
• Mystics speak of the seraphim as the Lord’s messengers and intermediaries when they had extraordinary
experiences of loving and transforming divine union.
 Questions???

Choirs of Angels
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church