Angels of the Lord. Catherine Odell

really sing? It seems they do in monasteries! One night, in the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Riquier in northern France, the abbot and a number of monks heard angels chanting harmoniously in their midst. They also reported that the entire sanctuary was filled with a sweet fragrance along with the celestial voices. Saint John Gualbert, founder of the Vallombrosan order of monks, was surrounded by angels who continuously sang songs of praise to God for three days before his death. And, for six months before he died, Saint Nicolas of Tolentino was blessed every night with the joyous sound of angels singing. This strengthened his desire for heaven and his anticipation of seeing God as the angels do.⁶³

       In the liturgy of the Church it is always the whole cosmos which takes part in the worship of God. The angelic hymn is never absent from our earth-bound worship. Human existence is transcended in it and joins with the praise offered by the angels. We must also remember that one of the essential characteristics of a monk — in the original sense of the word — was his imitation of the existence of angels, and his practice of an “Angelic liturgy.” ⁶⁴

      March 7

      Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicitas (died 202)

      Borne by Four Angels

      Perpetua and Felicitas were young Christian mothers who gave their lives for their faith in Carthage, North Africa. During their imprisonment Perpetua kept a diary that provides an authentic record of their suffering and martyrdom. She wrote that one of their companions, Saturus, related a vision he had. “We were gone forth from the flesh,” he said, “and were borne by four angels into the east; and their hands touched us not. We floated upwards, as if ascending a gentle slope, until we saw boundless light; and I said, ‘Perpetua, this is what the Lord promised to us.’ Then even brighter angels appeared who cried out with admiration, ‘Here they are! Here they are!’ And the angels said to us, ‘Come, enter and greet your Lord.’”⁶⁵

      When Perpetua was awaiting the gladiator’s sword, she said to her brother, “Stand fast in the faith and love one another; and do not be discouraged by our sufferings.” She would say the same to us today. Our faith and love and, yes, our sufferings will someday be met with the words, “Come, enter, and greet your Lord.”

      March 8

      Saint John of God (1495–1550)

      Raphael to the Rescue

      John was already past middle age when he dedicated his life to helping the destitute and defenseless people living on the streets of Granada, Spain. He was especially devoted to those suffering from mental illness. What John had lost in years he made up with immense passion. He set up a house where he tended the sick, and at night he went out to beg for money and medical supplies. It is said that the Archangel Raphael (the name means “God Heals”) visited him with advice and encouragement in this ministry. In time, he received human help as well. Twenty years after John’s death, his followers formed the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God. It is now a worldwide religious order. To this day, many of their facilities are called “Raphael Centers” in honor of the angel who aided their founder.

       The Archangel’s message to John of God — and us — is this: “I am Raphael, sent by God to assist you in your works of charity. The Lord has given me custody of your person and along with you all who will serve the Lord.” ⁶⁶

      March 9

      Saint Frances of Rome (1384–1440)

      The Angel Beckons Me

      After the death of her young son, an archangel who became her guardian and spiritual guide accompanied Frances for twenty-four years. The angel was, she said, about the size of an eight-year-old child. The brilliant light that emanated from the angel guided Frances at all times, keeping her safe from hazards. It was so bright that Frances reported that she could never look directly at the angel’s face. Four years before her death, Frances received an even more beautiful and majestic angel companion. This one exerted great power over the evil around her and helped her to advance in virtue and holiness. Her last words were, “The angel has finished his task — he beckons me to follow him.”

      “An angel can illume the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision, and by bringing within his reach some truth that the angel himself contemplates.”

      — Saint Thomas Aquinas

      March 10

      Angels of Martyrs

      In 316, forty new Christians gave their lives for Christ. The martyrs were Roman soldiers in Sebaste, Armenia. Their conversion to Christianity had embarrassed Rome, and they were condemned to death. On a bitterly cold night, they were stripped naked and forced onto a frozen lake. Onshore, a tub of warm water was set up to entice them to change their minds. One soldier did weaken and hurried to the heated tub. A guard witnessing the agonies of the remaining soldiers then saw angels descending from the sky to bring them comfort and “crowns of martyrdom.” Instantly converted, he stripped off his own clothing and joined the thirty-nine.⁶⁷

      Giving up one’s life for any reason takes courage. Angels must rush to strengthen those who give up their lives for the love of God or for the sake of others.

      March 11

      Converted through an Angel

      The Acts of the Apostles portray Cornelius the Centurion as God-fearing and generous (Acts 10:1–33). Nonetheless, he was also a Roman soldier charged with keeping the peace in a conquered land — a difficult assignment. A courageous veteran of many battles, Cornelius was nevertheless terrified when an angel appeared one day. The heavenly visitor told Cornelius to send for Peter, who was in Joppa. Meanwhile, Peter also received a message from heaven. He was told to teach the Gentile Cornelius about Jesus. Cornelius and his family heard Peter’s testimony, received the Holy Spirit, and were baptized. According to tradition, Cornelius the Centurion later became a bishop of Caesarea.

       When an angel visits, life is going to change. Romanian-born Jewish writer Elie Wiesel said, “Whenever an angel says ‘Be not afraid!’ you’d better start worrying. A big assignment is on the way.” ⁶⁸

      March 12

      Angels of Judgment

      Angels do more than guide and protect human beings. Scripture reminds us that these heavenly creatures can be instruments of God’s judgment. In Genesis 19, two angels visited Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot was living in Sodom, a city that was already very displeasing to God. Upon seeing the young visitors, men from Sodom told Lot to hand them over. But Lot protected his guests, risking his own life. The Lord became angrier than ever with Sodom and Gomorrah and determined to destroy the cities. The angels warned Lot to take his family and escape from the coming devastation. After they left, sulfurous fire rained down upon the cities, killing the inhabitants and leaving the cities in ashes.

      Angels will accompany Christ when he comes for the Last Judgment. “And he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matthew 24:31).

      March 13

      Saint Michael on the Cathedral Wall

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