Angels as Saints?

[alobcoach]

I thought that only “men” could become saints by living heroic lives. What is the rationale for Sts. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel?

 

[mercygate]

alobcoach:

I thought that only “men” could become saints by living heroic lives. What is the rationale for Sts. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel?

I think it’s that the Greek “hagios” (holy) and the Latin “Sanctus” can both be translated “Saint” in English. Aside from the fact that the East doesn’t have a formal process for canonizing people officially as Saints, the ancient tradition is simply to refer to “holy ones” as “saint” in English. When we sing the Litany of the Saints, we sing, “Holy Michael” (archangel), “Holy Abraham,” “Holy Catherine of Siena” and so forth.

 

[Mamamull]

Also, St. Michael showed heroic virtue for even an angel in immediately rising up against Lucifer and his minions – fighting for God and His Glory.

So maybe the other angels also showed a heroic virtue, too.