Angels

Berkeley, Sunday, September 14, 2025 2:25 AM

This seems to be clear understanding, which I have not fully grasped until now, but I you read the referenced article, there are quotations to the scripture. I will extract the one from San Tommaso d’Aquino (Near Roccasecca).

There are three hierarchies with three orders of angel. So 9 orders in total. Their proximity to God serves as the division of the three hierarchies.

In the first hierarchy are the the Seraphim, Cherubim, and the Thrones. (Pope, 1907; See also St. Aloysius Gonzaga Meditations on Angels, ca. 1588).

In the second hierarchy are the Dominations, Virtues, and Powers (ibid).

In the third order are the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels (ibid).

This order is the one that interacts with humans. Here are the Prince Archangel Michael, the archangels Gabriel, Raphael. I believe they are seven in total, including the Prince Michael. In the order of angels are our guard angel.

References:

Pope, Hugh. 1907 “Angels.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 

Gonzaga, Aloysius, Saint. ca. 1588. Meditations on the Holy Angels.