Angels 101

Where did angels come from? Should you name your guardian angel? What can your guardian angel do for you? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle share teachings from St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas on the origins of angels, the angelic fall, and the nature of angels. They also share some practical tips on how you can enlist your guardian angel’s help in your own life.

Snippet from the Show
Bring the ministry of angels into your life, incorporate them into your prayer, and invoke them for their protection because that’s why God gave you your angel.

Shownotes


Quotation from St. Augustine

“The word angels is indicative of what they do, not of what they are.”

Catechism References

“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.” CCC 328

“As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.” CCC 330

“Scripture speaks of a sin of these angels. This ‘fall’ consisted in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. We find a reflection of that rebellion in the tempter’s words to our first parents: ‘You will be like God.’ The devil “has sinned from the beginning”; he is “a liar and the father of lies.” CCC 392

“It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes the angels’ sin unforgivable. “There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death.’” CCC 393

Information on the Origin of Angels

  • Angels and their fall predate human history.
  • Angels are outside of time, similarly to God, and as such have full knowledge and cannot be deceived. This is why the demon’s fall was permanent at the moment of their choice to reject God. 
  • God has specially created a guardian angel just for you, who is aware of your own unique traits and weaknesses, and whose sole focus is to get you to heaven. 
  • If you want a relationship with your guardian angel, begin by developing personal holiness and virtue, and then start to invoke him daily in order to receive graces.

Resources

Meet Your Hosts


New Podcast from Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR: The Rosary in a Year!

Download the Prayer Plan!

 

Michael “Gomer” Gormley

Michael spent 17 years in full-time parish ministry and is now the Mission Evangelist for That Man Is You!, a men’s apostolate for Paradisus Dei. Michael is a frequent speaker at conferences, retreats, and parish missions all over the US and Canada.

He is the founder and creative director of LayEvangelist.com, and hosts three Catholic podcasts: Every Knee Shall Bow, Catching Foxes, and Becoming God.

Michael is married to his college sweetheart, Shannon, and has four beautiful and hilarious children: Kateri, Cecilia, Noah, and Thomas.

 

David “Dave” VanVickle

Dave VanVickle

Dave VanVickle fell in love with the Lord at the age of fourteen and has since dedicated his life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ.

He is a speaker and retreat leader who focuses on proclaiming the universal call to holiness, authentic Catholic spirituality, spiritual warfare and deliverance. Additionally, Dave has over ten years of experience assisting priests with their ministries of exorcism and deliverance.

Dave married his late wife Amber in 2010. He now resides in Pittsburgh with his five children: Sam, Max, Judah, Josie and Louisa.

1 Comment

  1. Dear Dave & Michael,
    Every Knee Shall Bow has been amazing to follow on my mobile app. I just finished day 8 this morning and I feel like God is talking right to me.
    I have a question, I lost my late husband, Ken who was 52, July 2023. I’ve always had great faith and have been on the receiving end of Satan visiting in my dreams throughout my life. It can get bad at times. I know that my prayers and devotion to my faith is working otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering me. I’ve also learned to confront him in my dreams but lately it’s gotten worse as I’ve expanded my prayer time each day and taken on some extra studies. Turning to God and building a stronger relationship has helped suffering through the loss of my husband. The dreams are always about my late husband showing up in my dream (doesn’t ever look like him) and the message to me is that he isn’t dead, he left me because he didn’t love me. Now I know that is not true and I journal it each day along with asking Holy Spirit, St. Therese my Patron Saint, Jesus and Guardian Angel to intercede for me.
    I sometimes dread going to bed at night. Do you have a suggestion of something I can add to my daily devotions that would help me with these attacks during my sleep? If I wake up during the night to go potty, I’m usually hearing a song of praise in my head but, sometimes I get complete rampage of negative confusion hurtful words and anxiety.
    I don’t think this will ever stop as long as I’m loving our Lord and I sometimes want to thumb my nose at Satan. Suggestions please of what more I can do to battle this. I do go to confession and weekly mass. Thank you for your devotion to teaching us all about our faith. God Bless you both! Susan

    Reply

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