How to Describe the Nine Choirs of Angels

When many people think of angels they think of cute little ceramic children with wings, or gentle, winged people in pink robes. There is nothing remotely similar in the natures or even the appearance of angels. Angels are the most powerful beings next to God Himself; they are warriors, avengers and when need be, quite destructive. They watch over all of God's creation and follow God's will without question.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Identify the Seraphim, the highest order of the nine choirs of angels, by their intense and perpetual adoration of God. They surround the throne of God, continually singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the God of Hosts!" They're said to be so bright that humans cannot even look at them. Lucifer was a seraphim before the rebellion leading to his fall.

2. Note that the name "Cherubim," which means "fullness of wisdom" is the description given to the second of the choirs of angels. These continually praise God and are regarded as our intercessors before God's throne. They look over God's plan for all mankind and honor God's providence.

3. Look to the Thrones, the choir of angels who are the symbol of God's divine justice. This third choir is known as the "many-eyed ones," and are said to be covered with eyes when viewed by men. They are known for their humility and submission to God's will.

4. Think of the Dominions, the fourth choir of angels, as the "Angels of Leadership." Theirs is the position of authority, regulating and governing the lesser choirs and setting before them their duties. They shed light on God's will for mankind.

5. Ponder on the fifth choir of angels when contemplating the sun, moon and stars. The Virtues act on the orders of the Dominions and represent the power of God. They perform miracles, govern and watch over all nations and cities, elements and seasons.

6. Raise your eyes to the Powers to fight any evil opposing the will of God. The sixth choir of angels is warriors who protect mankind from the devil and all things attempting to counteract the will of God. We can pray for their intercession when confronted with spiritual warfare.

7. Consider the Principalities, seventh in the hierarchy of angels, the symbol of Christ's reign over all events in and around the world. They watch over the earthly principalities and take care of their needs and intercede on behalf of nations.

8. Recognize the Archangels as mentioned in the Bible. This choir of angels, the eighth, is the messengers from God directly to mankind. We know of the angel Gabriel, known as God's messenger, St. Michael, who threw Lucifer out of heaven and is a powerful ally in the war against Satan. Raphael is known as the angel of happy meetings.

9. Pray to your guardian angel, who is personally assigned to you by God, to stand before the throne of God and present your petitions. The ninth choir of angels is the most well known of the angels and are mentioned throughout the Bible and Bible history. They interact with all of the other choirs of angels at all times. They love us and take pity on our frailty.

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on 11/14/2008 Everyone has a guardian angel, "See that you despise not one of these little ones: For I say to you, that their angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in Heaven." (Matthew 18:10) and they were given a specific duty by God, "Behold I will send My angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice." (Exodus 23:20-21). "And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel." (Apocalypse 8:4). Asking another (angel, saint, or our Blessed Mother) to interceded "Go to my servant Job, and offer yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you: for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath." (Job 42:8)

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on 11/14/2008 Christ must particularly approve of our going to Him through Mary, His Blessed Mother, because He chose to come to us through her. And at Cana, He performed His first miracle after a word from His Mother. (John 2:2-11).

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on 11/14/2008 When Catholics pray to Mary and the other saints in Heaven they are not bypassing Christ, whom they acknowledge as the sole Mediator between God and man. They are going to Christ through Mary and the other saints. They are asking Mary and other saints to intercede for them before the throne of Christ in Heaven. "For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much." (James 5:16). How much more availing is the unceasing prayer of the sinless Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ! St. Paul asked his fellow Christians to intercede for him: "Brethren, pray for us." (2 Thess. 3:1). And again: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers for me to God . . ." (Rom. 15:30). Christ must particularly approve of our going to Him through Mary, His Blessed Mother, because He chose to come to us through he

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on 11/14/2008 It is clear in Sacred Scripture that the saints in Heaven will intercede for us before the throne of Christ if they are petitioned in prayer (Apoc. or Rev. 8:3-4), and it is clear in the records of primitive Christianity that the first Christians eagerly sought their intercession. Wrote St. John Chrysostom in the fourth century: "When thou perceivest that God is chastening thee, fly not to His enemies, but to His friends, the martyrs, the saints, and those who were pleasing to Him, and who have great power." If the saints have such power with God, how much more His own Mother.

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on 11/14/2008 Through their great humility and loyalty in fulfilling the Divine Will, they obtained this right during their trial. It was these faithful angels who led the heavenly army in their battle against Lucifer and his followers. These Sovereign Princes will continue to do so until the end of time. St. Michael, as leader with Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Jehudiel, Sealtiel and Barachiel and the entire heavenly host fight with their Queen against the diabolical powers of hell. These seven Archangels battle constantly against the seven principal demons and their squadrons who spread the seven mortal sins: Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, and Sloth amongst the people from the very beginning. The intercession of these Archangels and followers are especially necessary now and in the future.