Saturday Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Catechism teaches us that God, the Creator of “heaven and earth,” made all that exists, seen and unseen. “Heaven and earth” expresses the fullness of creation: the earthly world, the heavens, God’s own dwelling, the glory to come, the saints, and the spiritual creatures called angels. The Fourth Lateran Council professes that God created both spiritual and bodily creatures from nothing, and that the human person shares in both orders through being composed of spirit and body. Angels are real spiritual, personal, and immortal creatures; with their whole being, they are God’s servants and messengers, beholding him and carrying out his word. As a family, we can give thanks to God for the rich fullness of his creation and remember that the angels behold him and carry out his word.

In the Catholic faith, angels belong to Christ, for they were created through him and for him, and he sends them as ministering spirits in service of those who are to obtain salvation. They have been present from creation throughout salvation history, carrying out God’s plan by protecting, guiding, announcing, and serving. Angels announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, served Christ during his earthly life, proclaimed the Good News of his Incarnation and Resurrection, and will be present at his return. The Church continues to benefit from their mysterious and powerful help. From infancy to death, human life is surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of angels; beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. In the liturgy, the Church joins the angels in adoring the thrice-holy God and invokes their assistance. For families, these truths offer a simple invitation to give thanks to God for the angelic care he provides and to join the angels in worshipping him.