In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When it comes to angels, there is no shortage of those who smile maliciously at each other,
as if to imply that it is an old-fashioned subject
or simply that it is a very beautiful story to put children to sleep.
The existence of angels is one of the truths of our Catholic faith.
The catechism of the catholic church says:
"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."
- Catechism 328.
"The angels are servants and messengers of God."
- Catechism 329
"As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will:
they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures,
as the splendor of their glory bears witness."
- Catechism 330.
Saint Gregory the Great, called "the Doctor of the heavenly militias",
says that "the existence of angels is attested on almost every page of Sacred Scripture."
In the liturgy, the Church particularly
celebrates the memory
of Saint Michael,
Saint Gabriel
and Saint Raphael
on September 29th,
and of the
guardian angels
on October 2nd.
Saint Michael is the prince
and head
of all the heavenly armies.
The veneration of Saint Michael is very old.
As early as the 4th century there was a shrine dedicated to him in Phrygia
In the 5th century another one was erected on Mount Gargano
in southern Italy
and in the year 709 another great sanctuary was built
on Saint Michael's Mount
in Normandy - France.