Angels: A 'Truth of Faith'

Excerpted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For context and footnotes, see the Catechism online.

The existence of angels--a truth of faith

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.

Who are they?

St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel.'" [188]  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, harkening to the voice of his word". [189]

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 witness. [190]

Christ "with all his angels"

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. " [191]  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." [192]   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?" [193]

Continued on page 2: Angels have been present since creation... »