61. In what way are angels present in the life of the Church?

61. In what way are angels present in the life of the Church?

(Comp 61) The Church joins with the angels in adoring God, invokes their assistance and commemorates some in her liturgy. “Beside each believer stands an angel as a protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (Saint Basil the Great)

“In Brief”

(CCC 352) The Church venerates the angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being.

To deepen and explain

(CCC 334) In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels (Cf. Acts 5:18-20; 8:26-29; 10:3-8; 12:6-11; 27:23-25). (CCC 335) In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli… ["May the angels lead you into Paradise…"]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).

On reflection

(CCC 336) From its beginning until death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession (Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Ps 34:7; 91:10-13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12). "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life" (St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29, 656B). Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

(Next question: What does Sacred Scripture teach about the creation of the visible world?)