Youcat commented through CCC - Question n. 54 - Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 54 - Part I. What are angels?

(Youcat answer) Angels are pure spiritual creatures of God who have understanding and will. They have no bodies, cannot die, and are usually not visible. They live constantly in God’s presence and convey God’s will and God’s protection to men.        

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 328) 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. (CCC 330) 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 (Cf. Pius XII, Humani generis: DS 3891; Lk 20:36; Dan 10:9-12).     

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) An angel, wrote Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, is “so to speak the personal thought with which God is turned toward me”. At the same time the angels are turned completely toward their Creator. They burn with love for him and serve him day and night. Their song of praise is never-ending. In Sacred Scripture the angels who have fallen away from God are called devils or demons.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 329) 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'" (St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 103, 1, 15: PL 37, 1348). 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, hearkening to the voice of his word" (Mt 18:10; Ps 103:20).      

(This question: What are angels? is continued)