Joan Carroll Cruz - Angels and Devils

Imprimatur:		Most Rev. Francis B. Schulte
Archbishop of New Orleans
October 28, 1998

The Imprimatur is the Churchs declaration that a work is free from error in matters of faith and morals and in no way implies that the Church endorses the contents of the manuscript.

Copyright 1999 by Joan Carroll Cruz.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher, except that brief selections may be quoted or copied for non-profit use without permission, provided full credit is given.

Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 98-61407

ISBN: 9780895556387

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

TAN Books

Charlotte, North Carolina

2010

And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan

The Apocalypse 12:7-9

Our Lady is pictured crushing the head of the serpent, Satan, on the front of the Miraculous Medal. The design for the Miraculous Medal was given to St. Catherine Labour by the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1830. Although this famous medal was originally titled the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, the numerous miracles associated with it led to the popular title of the Miraculous Medal. The prayer which Our Lady wanted included on the Medal (shown here in French) indicates her victory over the devil from the first moment of her Conception:

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

CONTENTS

AUTHORS NOTE

In this work I have endeavored to give information regarding the most frequently asked questions about angels and devils, and perhaps at the same time to give unbelievers a little something to think about regarding the existence of angelic helpers and devilish tormentors. To prove the various points, I have relied on the very best of references: Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition, the teachings of the Church, the writings of Popes and Doctors of the Church, the opinions and visions of saints as well as the writings of esteemed theologians.

Why another book about angels? The subject is so vast and interesting, it seems unlikely that it can be adequately explored in any one volume. Each writer attempts to present a different perspective of the subject. Perhaps we each hope to present various facets that might not have been explored enough by others. Whatever the case, I have attempted, as have many others, to explore the subject in a trustworthy, instructive, interesting and helpful manner.

While it is a worthwhile occupation to read and learn about our angelic companions who are with us now and will remain with us in Heaven, it was not my intention to dwell in a lengthy fashion on the devil. Concerning this, C. S. Lewis, author of The Screwtape Letters , wrote: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. In trying to avoid an unhealthy interest in the devils, I have nevertheless felt it necessary to discuss their origins, what they are like, what they can do, and to warn about some of the wiles they use to entrap unsuspecting souls in our day. This knowledge is necessary, since we must know something of this mortal enemy before we can present a defense.

It is my prayer that the reader will find some merit in this work and that all will successfully combat against the devil and grow ever closer to their own angel guardians.

Joan Carroll Cruz

ANGELS AND DEVILS

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.

Ephesians 6:12

Part One

ANGELS

The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls angels is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of tradition.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 328

ANGELS

1. What Are Angels?

St. Augustine (354-430) instructs us that the word angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. Their nature is known as spirit. The word angel, as translated from the Greek, means one going, one sent or messenger. St. Augustine adds that the spirits called angels were never, in any sense, at any time, partakers of darkness, but from the moment of their creation, they were made beings of light. They were not merely created in order to exist and to live, but they were also illumined, so that they might live in wisdom and happiness.

According to St. Bernard (1090-1153) in his De Consideratione , angels are

mighty, glorious, blessed, distinct personalities, of graduated rank, occupying the order given them from the beginning, perfect of their kind endowed with immortality, passionless being of pure mind, benignant affections, religious and devout; of unblemished morality; inseparably one in heart and mind, blessed with unbroken peace, Gods edifice dedicated to the divine praises and service. All this we ascertain by reading, and hold by faith.

According to Fr. Pascal P. Parente, Even though not yet an article of faith, it is Catholic doctrine that the Angels are pure spirits, incorporeal substances, free and independent from any material body

As to their form, we accept the descriptions of Scripture and Tradition and the revelations of the Saints which reveal that when they appear on earth, angels have a form similar to that of men, but of an ethereal, spiritual nature. At least that is how they appear in various apparitions in both the Old and New Testaments and in the apparitions of saints.

St. John Damascene (c. 675-c. 749), a Doctor of the Church, writes: An angel is an intellectual substance, endowed with liberty, perpetually active, without a body, serving God, having the form and the limits of whose substance only its Creator knows.