The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-10-08
Just Among Ourselves
Passing Comment Considered or ineonsiderats

ably think little about angels Thinking leads to
appreciation And in this case, appreciation will
arouse devotion and set up the habit of very re-
warding prayer.
Angels are pure spirits. We all know so much
from catechism. But perhaps have consid-
cred that word pure" to the virtue of pur-
ity whereas it means in this definition of angels,
"unmixed," "unmingled" II means that angels
spirits and nothing eise-no bodlness about them.
Indeed the virtue of purity consists fundament-
ally in the right control and use of things bodily,
of tendencies in bodily man which, since the Fall,
incline him to excess misuse, and degradation. A
pure spirit has body at all, and therefore
bodily tendencies, good or evil.
St. Thomas Aquinas says that while Satan a
fallen angel may be called guilty Of all sins since
he strives to lead fallen into every variety of
evil yet in himself, a spirit he commit only
two sins, namely, pride and envy.
That angels exist we know from Gods Revela-
ton We read in Holy Scripture, in both Old Testa-
ment and New, of heavenly spirits and of their
ministrations to man. There was, for instance the
angel that brought the burning ember TO purify
the lips Of Isaias. There the angel Raphael who,
in human guise, brought protection and blessing
to the younger and the elder Tobias There was the
angel of the Annuncation. There were the angels
sent visibly to the shepherds, and gathered in
Nativity of Our Lord.
And Our Lord Himself told us of guardian angels
when he said that the angels of the little children
looking upon the face of God the Father. The
last book Of the New Testament-Which we call
Apocalypse, and nonCatholics call ReUelutionS-
speaks Of guardian angels, not only Of men, but of
churches, that is to say, of dioceses.
And therefore, upon the testimony of Gods
word, i've acknowledge the existence of angels
spirits without bodies which God and are
sometimes made messengers of God for the benefit
of mankind. But also know OF the existence
of angels-at least of their likely probable ex-
isence.from the testimony of reason of the think
ing human mind Indeed ST. Thomas feels that the
reasoned testimony in this case is compelling.
For God is the author of all creatures and of
every kind of creature. God has created the bodily
world in which we find things purely bodily things
bodily with life, things bodily with life and the
power OF knowing by use of senses, things bodily
with life, Senency, and reason. Now, reason is a
power more than bodily; it is spiritual power;
yet it exists in bodily man. Therefore has an
essential spiritual element
Thus there are things sheerly bodily in varying
grades of perfection, and also there is man, who is
a compound of body and spirit. To round out the
perfect scheme of creatures there ought to be (and
St. Thomas ntlines to say there must bel creatures
that sheerly spiritual. The perfect round" is
achieved in this plan: natter materandspirit;
spirit
Al all events, we do know by our infallible
Faith, that angels exist And we know, upon the
same unfaling authority, that angels appointed
guardians to man. Each human being, from the
first moment of his existence that is from the in
stant of his conception tand not. some have mis-
takenly taught from the moment of baptism), has
of Gods wonderful spiritual creatures TO be
his companion, his guardian his constant guide
intereessor, and friend
There is no need in this sentimental hour, TO
stress the Importance and the value of fine friend
ship But the issue here is more than sentiment
II is great fact too easily overlooked or forgotten
that each of us has in every hour, most powerful
and loving friend at our side. If we had a proper
realization of this fact should certainly be more
active on part of the friendship. We should do
much more than utter on rare occasion, the iingly
little prayer, Angel of God my guardian dear ="
OF course, there is the difficulty of our being un
able TO our guardian and hear spoken words
from him But sustained effort TO realize his pres
will conquer this difficulty. We know that the
guardian angel is there If stress this knowledge
TO ourselves; il we act upon ii by recolecting it
clearly and frequently; il we speak TO our guardian
at least in mind and heart drusting that God will
make known TO the angel our inward thoughts and
strength that otherwise win not be ours.
Devotion TO ones guardian angel is a most eX-
cellent habit II is possible for the human spirit
to take courage even from the imagination of a
situation wherein one has the affection and help
of powerful friends And in the of the guardian
angel we are dealing, not with fancy, but with
fact The loving aid of most powerful friend is
really ours for the asking.
even when we do not appeal to him. But are
creatures lowered with freewill, we are meant TO
that will in cooperating with Gods most benefi-
cent plans in our behalf Our Lord tells to pray,
even though we know tha. God understands our needs
without our telling Him Unless we do our part
in working with our guardian we shall miss great
deal of good that could gain through his willing
and eager assistance.
October can be the effective school in which we
learn true devotion to our guardian angels. We
may learn to make every month of life month of
the angels.