Question about devotion to angels

[Dorothy]

I think we really ought to stop calling them “saint” Gabriel, etc.
Saints are the souls of those who were once human, who lived here on earth, and for whatever reason, have achieved the venerable status of sainthood.
Angels were never human and were never intended to be. They exist in a total state of oneness with God’s will, by their choice (there were clearly many angels who rejected God’s will).

Perhaps we should pray to “St Mary, St Joseph, etc… and The Angel Gabriel, The Angel Michael…”? Any thoughts?

Another thought: is there anything in theology or scripture which states that angels are able to receive and respond to prayers?

Saint means “holy”, or another word…“sanctified”. The good angels have received the “venerable status of sainthood” (great holiness) because they did God’s will. I suppose we can call them “Angel”, but it is true that they are holy, and holy is not just what human saints are.

If you like to read good Catholic books I highly recommend, by Peter Kreeft, “Angels and Demons”.

I believe he has the theology correct, and the book is fascinating!

The Catholic Church does not forbid us from asking for the intercession and protection of the angels.
Of course, we are forbidden to worship them, as that would be a sin. We only worship God.

Maybe someone else here has, on the tip of their tongue, some other responses.

Peace,

Dorothy

 

[John1360]

I think praying to Angels is fine. Trying to contact them is another story; they contact us if need be, not the other way around.

 

[aspirant]

I think we really ought to stop calling them “saint” Gabriel, etc.
Saints are the souls of those who were once human

Dorothy is right. “Saint” means “holy one,” and it does apply to the righteous angels.

Another thought: is there anything in theology or scripture which states that angels are able to receive and respond to prayers?

In scripture, they are depicted as offering the prayers of humans to God. In traditional Catholic theology, one may ask for their intercession just as for any other saint’s.