A Catholic Magazine on the Holy Angels Vol 2• issue 3•2011 £ 2,00 € 2,50 $ 5,00 ISSN 2081-5077

90th Anniversary of Th e Congregation of St Th e Archangel St Michael saved a marine St Joan of Arc came with angels The Knighthood of St Michael Angels and Divine Mercy DEAR READERS CONTENTS

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the seventh Page 3 St Joan of Arc quarterly edition of “The Angels. Messengers from and the Angels a loving God” magazine. Thank you for all your letters, emails and positive feedback. We are glad Page 5 Homily of Pope that it inspires you for living a holy life and being Benedict XVI like an angel to one another. Page 7 St Michael – A good he Congregation of St Michael out for us and follow Him who is our choice for a patron the Archangel received its ec- Way, Truth and Life. Page 8 My battle clesiastical acceptance by an Let us remember the words of St th is not finished Tofficial decree 90 years ago. On 29 Francis de Sales, “Develop a strong – a testimony September, on the Feast of St Michael familiarity with the angels. Learn to the Archangel, we are going to share see them invisibly present in your life Page 10 90th anniversary a great joy with you and thank God and especially honour and revere the of CSMA for the grace of the establishment of angel of the diocese where you are, the the Congregation. We are happy to angels of persons with whom you live Page 12 Host for the Knights be God’s servants in spreading the with and especially your own guard- of St Michael Good News as well as the devotion ian angel. Call them often, praise them to angels. We realize our vocation by regularly and make use of their aid and Page 13 The Beatification of taking care of underprivileged, hand- assistance in all your affairs, both spir- Blessed John Paul II icapped, abandoned and poor chil- itual and temporal, so that they might – a testimony dren, providing missionary work in 13 cooperate in all your undertakings.” Page countries and by editing the magazine I would like to ask you kindly to let 18 Angels through about angels and spiritual life. The first others know about our magazine and the Ages Polish issue was published 17 years distribute it all over the world. We look Page 20 Angels –our most ago whereas the first English one – 18 forward to any questions and feedback. powerful allies months ago. I would be interested to hear by letter Angels adore God and they sur- or email any testimonies on how the Page 21 Why are angels round us with their praise, their adora- angels helped you in your life. If you fascinating? tion and their thanksgiving long after are interested in conferences or retreats we have left the church. They teach us on Divine Mercy and the angels, please Page 22 Justice or Mercy? how to pray; they can share with us contact the office or the Coordinators their spirit of adoring love and they can whose details are found on page 31. Page 24 Michael, Michael strengthen us for the crosses of daily May the Angels guide you on your of the morning… life. If we pray to the angels, our crosses way. – a testimony will become lighter and our fidelity to God bless you. Page God will increase. We will walk more 26 America’s oldest surely in the way that Christ has traced Father Peter Prusakiewicz CSMA church (Part2) Page 28 The cherubim (Part2) English translations: Agata Pawłowska, Isabel Brak, Joanna Jabłońska Page 30 Bible Phone TheAngels Graphics & Layout: Jacek Kawa Messengers from a Loving God Numbers A Catholic Quarterly Magazine on Holy Angels Websites: www.holyangelsmagazine.com www.kjb24.pl Page Publisher: The Congregation 31 Distribution Editorial Office:The Angels Magazine of Michael the Archangel – Poland ul. Piłsudskiego 248/252, 05-261 Marki. Poland Coordinators Chief Editor: Father Piotr Prusakiewicz (CSMA) Email: [email protected] & Retreats Editorial Staff:Agata Pawłowska, © 2011 CSMA Monika Chlebosz, Magdalena Świerczewska, All rights reserved Page 32 Chaplet Małgorzata Pytel, Rafał Świłło ISSN 2081-5077 Printed in Poland of St Michael

2 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 Angels AND St Joan of Arc and the Angels Joan of Arc, living in the years 1412-1431, liberated her French homeland from the yoke of its foes, aided by one of the most astonishing examples of angelic activity. The testimony of this survived only in the form of snippets from the trial conducted by the enemies of St Joan. However, the sacred past achievements of the saint show how significant angelic assistance had been in the enforcement of her mission.

aint Joan gave witness that she received her first consolation from St Michael the Archangel Swhen she was 13 (after that the saint was comforted by visitations from St Catherine of and St Margaret of Antioch). St Michael appeared to her in the summertime, at midday, in her father’s garden. She heard the voice coming from the right-hand side, the side where the church was located, and it was linked with light. She was convinced from the outset that the voice had been sent by God to help and guide her. On the third visitation, she eventual- ly recognized the angel’s voice. Also, St Michael the Archangel became visible, surrounded by the heaven- ly angels. He began to teach her in order to prepare her for the future mission in France. St Joan cried after the Archangel and the angels had left her, because she wished to go with them. When questioned by interroga- tors about what St Michael looked like, she answered that she had not seen the crown above his head (as with visions of St Margaret and St Catherine who wore the shining crowns). She could not say anything

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 3 Angels AND saints about his clothes. The interrogators what they tell you. It is a command during a private audience she con- asked the trick question whether of our Lord”. She called his language vinced him that her mission was he was naked. Her sharp and witty “angelic”. true. That is all that history records. reply showed her great spirit and sense of humour, particularly sur- rounding the circumstances of the faked process run by her enemies. The identity She came They did not look for the truth but only how to catch her on some fail- of St Michael with angels ure, and, to prove that her visions The saint confirmed her certain- On the other hand, however, were only deceptions by the devil ty about the identity of St Michael, trial records indicate the angelic or, at the very least, her own im- saying that the archangel himself intervention in Chinon. Having agination. St Joan responded: “Do taught her how to differentiate good been called to Charles’ castle, St you think that God had not enough angels from the fallen ones who of- Joan came with St Michael, who material to dress St Michael?”. ten impersonated their heavenly was invisible for other people. The counterparts. She was only a little archangel took her hand, ignored girl when she saw St Michael for the the dressed-up servant and led her first time; she did not know whether directly to the real successor stand- The spiritual side the spiritual being was real. ing among the crowd. During the She also could not give exact de- The archangel revealed to her audience St Michael came with the tails concerning St Michael’s hair the ways of discernment between company of the angels and saint- or the scales for weighing souls the spirits. Next time she could eas- ly women; he brought the crown (the attribute assigned to him in ily recognize who was appearing and presented it to the incredulous the arts). The saint focused on the to her. St Michael told her about Charles. It was an obvious sign of spiritual side of her vision; the an- the poor state of France and asked his heredity of the French throne. gelic visit assured her that she was her to visit the church quite often That was how the military part of not in a state of mortal sin. St Joan and be obedient to her parents. He St Joan of Arc’s mission started. gave witness that the archangel explained to her that God would Thanks to that wise 19-year-old came to her as a modest man. She like to use her as a tool to help the woman a large part of the country admired St Michael and the angels French king and the whole country. regained freedom. The spirit of en- so much that she kissed the ground The archangel urged her to support thusiasm entered the nation. in places where they had previously the city of Orleans. She claimed she However, that damning court was appeared. She also saw the angels believed in St Michael’s apparitions not the record that showed Joan’s coming down to the church and as strongly as she believed that Jesus devotion to the archangel. Twenty staying among the faithful during Christ suffered death for mankind. years later a fresh trial took place. the Mass. The archangel also helped St Joan Its aim was to restore St Joan’s good Interrogators tried to persuade to convince the heir of the French name. The court refuted the false her that she was a victim of the throne of her mission. According accusations posed by her enemies. devil but St Joan replied that the to history, St Joan came to Chinon, Witnesses said that even just before heavenly voices always had helped a town where Charles, the rightful death she placed great trust in St her (even in her lucky jump from heir to the French throne, was hid- Michael. When she was attached to the tower), which made her sure ing. Charles doubted she could of- the stake, she had especially called of their friendly attitude. She said fer him heavenly aid; therefore, he him. People present at the execution that St Michael announced angels decided to test her out. He swapped cried, saying that the saint was killed. and saints’ visit to her: “St Margaret clothes with his servant and ordered St Joan burning in flames called Jesus and St Catherine will come to visit him to take the seat of honour. When and St Michael. Surely, the archangel you. Follow their advice. They had St Joan entered the room, she passed carried her soul into heavenly bliss. been chosen to guide you and pro- the man in royal clothes and ap- tect you in your mission. Believe in proached Charles. Afterwards, Jakub Szymański

4 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 Angels in the Teaching of the Holy Fathers

Memorial of the three Archangels, St Peter’s Basilica

Saturday, 29 September 2007 Homily of his holiness Benedict XVI word“El”, which means “God”. God must be men of God, they must live is inscribed in their names, in their oriented to God. “Multum orat pro Dear Brothers nature. Their true nature is existing populo” – “Let them say many prayers in his sight and for him. In this very for the people”, the Breviary of the and Sisters, way the second aspect that character- Church says of holy . The e are celebrating the izes angels is also explained: they are must be a man of prayer, one Episcopal Ordination of six God’s messengers. They bring God to who intercedes with God for human new bishops on the Feast of men; they open Heaven and thus open beings. The more he does so, the more Wthe three Archangels who are men- Earth. Precisely because they are with he also understands the people who tioned by name in Scripture: Michael, God, and they can also be very close are entrusted to him and can become and . This reminds us to man. Indeed, God is closer to each an angel for them – a messenger of that in the ancient Church – already in one of us than we ourselves are. The God who helps them to find their true the Book of Revelation – bishops were angels speak to man of what consti- nature by themselves and to live the described as “angels” of their Church, tutes his true being, of what in his life idea that God has of them. thereby expressing a close connection is so often concealed and buried. They All this becomes even clearer if between the bishop’s ministry and the bring him back to himself, touching we now look at the figures of the angel’s mission. From the angel’s task it him on God’s behalf. three Archangels whose Feast the is possible to understand the bishop’s In this sense, we human beings Church is celebrating today. First service. But what is an angel? Sacred must also always return to being an- of all there is Michael. We find him Scripture and the Church’s tradition gels to one another – angels who turn in Sacred Scripture above all in the enable us to discern two aspects. On people away from erroneous ways and Book of , in the Letter of the the one hand, the angel is a creature direct them always, ever anew, to God. Apostle St Jude Thaddeus and in who stands before God, oriented to If the ancient Church called bishops the Book of Revelation. Two of this God with his whole being. All three “angels” of their Church, she meant Archangel’s roles become obvious in names of the Archangels end with the precisely this: bishops themselves these texts. He defends the cause of

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 5 Angels in the Teaching of the Holy Fathers

God’s oneness against the presump- Redeemer: of giving her human flesh tasks of healing. He heals the dis- tion of the dragon, the “ancient ser- to the eternal Word of God, to the Son turbed communion between a man pent”, as John calls it. of God. The Lord knocks again and and a woman. He heals their love. The serpent’s continuous effort is again at the door of the human heart. He drives out the demons who over to make men believe that God must In the Book of Revelation he and over again exhaust and destroy disappear so that they themselves may says to the “angel” of the Church of their love. He purifies the atmosphere become important; that God impedes Laodicea and, through him, to the between the two and gives them the our freedom and, therefore, that we people of all times: “Behold, I stand at ability to accept each other forever. must rid ourselves of him. However, the door and knock; if any one hears In Tobit’s account, this healing is re- the dragon does not only accuse God. my voice and opens the door, I will counted with legendary images. In the The Book of Revelation also calls it come in to him and eat with him, and New Testament, the order of marriage “the accuser of our brethren..., who he with me” (3: 20). The Lord is at the established in creation and threatened accuses them day and night before door – at the door of the world and at in many ways by sin, is healed through our God” (12: 10). Those who cast the door of every individual heart. He Christ’s acceptance of it in his redeem- God aside do not make man great but knocks to be let in: the Incarnation of ing love. He makes marriage a sacra- divest him of his dignity. Man then God, his taking flesh, must continue ment: his love, put on a cross for us, is becomes a failed product of evolution. until the end of time. All must be reu- the healing power which in all forms Those who accuse God also accuse nited in Christ in one body: the great of chaos offers the capacity for recon- man. Faith in God defends man in all hymns on Christ in the Letters to the ciliation, purifies the atmosphere and his frailty and short-comings: God’s Ephesians and to the Colossians tell mends the wounds. brightness shines on every individual. us this. Christ knocks. Today too he The priest is entrusted with the task It is the duty of the bishop, as a man needs people who, so to speak, make of leading men and women ever anew of God, to make room in the world for their own flesh available to him, give to the reconciling power of Christ’s God, to counter the denials of him and him the matter of the world and of love. He must be the healing “angel” thus to defend man’s greatness. And their lives, thus serving the unification who helps them to anchor their love what more could one say and think between God and the world, until the to the sacrament and to live it with an about man than the fact that God reconciliation of the universe. ever renewed commitment based upon himself was made man? Michael’s Dear friends, it is your task to knock it. Secondly, the Book of Tobit speaks other role, according to Scripture, is at people’s hearts in Christ’s Name. By of the healing of sightless eyes. We all that of protector of the People of God entering into union with Christ your- know how threatened we are today (cf. Dn 10: 21; 12: 1). Dear friends, be selves, you will also be able to assume by blindness to God. How great is the true “guardian angels” of the Church Gabriel’s role: to bring Christ’s call to danger that with all we know of mate- which will be entrusted to you! Help men. St Raphael is presented to us, rial things and can do with them, we the People of God whom you must lead above all in the Book of Tobit, as the become blind to God’s light. Healing in its pilgrimage to find the joy of faith angel to whom is entrusted the task of this blindness through the message of and to learn to discern the spirits: to healing. When Jesus sends his disciples faith and the witness of love is Raphael’s accept good and reject evil, to remain out on a mission, the task of proclaim- service, entrusted day after day to the and increasingly to become, by virtue ing the Gospel is always linked with priest and in a special way to the bish- of the hope of faith, people who love that of healing. The Good Samaritan, op. Thus, we are prompted spontane- in communion with God-Love. in accepting and healing the injured ously also to think of the Sacrament We meet the Archangel Gabriel person lying by the wayside, becomes of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of especially in the precious account without words a witness of God’s love. Penance which in the deepest sense of the annunciation to Mary of the We are all this injured man, in need of of the word is a sacrament of healing. Incarnation of God, as Luke tells it to being healed. Proclaiming the Gospel The real wound in the soul, in fact, us (1: 26-38). Gabriel is the messenger itself already means healing in itself, the reason for all our other injuries, of God’s Incarnation. He knocks at because man is in need of truth and is sin. And only if forgiveness exists, Mary’s door and, through him, God love above all things. by virtue of God’s power, by virtue of himself asks Mary for her “yes” to the The Book of Tobit refers to two of Christ’s love, can we be healed, can we proposal to become the Mother of the the Archangel Raphael’s emblematic be redeemed. Amen.

6 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 ANgEliC REflECTiONS St Michael – A good choice for a patron “Look, today I am offering you life and prosperity, death and disaster. If you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am laying down for you today, if you love Yahweh your God and follow His ways, you will live and grow numerous. (…) I am offering you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of Yahweh your God, obeying His voice, holding fast to Him, for it this your life consists.” (Dt 30:15-16, 19-20)

he choice between life and torn, which the Old Testament pres- each sentence He said to the evil one death is rooted in human ents with the example of many bib- was taken from Holy Scriptures. It is freedom. God is Life be- lical characters. Th e Chosen People also the most powerful and eff ective Tcause he called Himself Life in Christ still rebelled against God and did not weapon by which we can fi ght against (John 14:6). St Michael the archangel follow His way. However, the Lord satanic temptations: “Th e Word of chose God-Life during the rebellion God is something alive and active: of spiritual beings. He humbly ac- it cuts more incisively than any two- cepted his place and the mission set edged sword.” (Heb 4:12). for him by God whereas Lucifer refused obedience towards God. Standing in front of Light, Life and Truth he de- Visible in the clared for darkness, death and lies. He became the Light father of lies forever. (1J Th e more we pray to 4:6) St Michael the Archangel, the more we remember that he invites us to take the sword of the Word of Free choice God, which cuts our hearts Th e choice between life and makes what was hidden and death, truth and lies, light in the darkness visible in the and darkness is inscribed in each Light. May we make big and small human heart from the beginning choices in the presence of God and of the world. Th e fi rst free choice of St Michael. In order to choose of the Parents was tragic in results; continuously called them to choose well we need the Holy Spirit, who they were not satisfi ed with the gift life. Satan off ers quite a diff erent enables us to agree on God’s will in of unity with God and succumbed choice. Even Jesus was tempted in or- our lives. St Michael, patron of good to the instigation of the snake, “You der to be similar to us, apart from sin. choice – pray for us! will be like gods.” (Gn 3:5) From Christ took the Word of God as His that moment each human heart is weapon in refuting the devil’s attacks; Sister Leonia Przybylo CSSMA

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 7 TESTiMONiES My battle is not fi nished I would like my testimony to be one of the reasons for others to come back to God. I would like it to be a warning against dealing with the occult by the use of talismans, Atlantis rings and tarot cards. I have put on the Armour of Light and begun a war against Satan.

y name is Magda Myczko, I thought that I would be able to buy I come from Poland. I am anything in the world including love if well-known on the Internet; My worst moment I was rich. Soon aft er, I bought several Mit is easy to fi nd my “achievements” When I was 19 I had a love aff air New Age items, an Atlantis ring and there. I do not want to remain anony- with a married man twenty years older a cross as aids in my quest. And then mous and I would like to tell the truth than myself who did not believe in God. something strange happened; each con- because I feel that this is the time to I was impressed by him and so became versation about God, the Church, tell people my story. In September absorbed in all his false philosophy of and priests made me angry. Anger is 2009 I received a great grace from life. One day I rebelled and told my really an insuffi cient word to describe God, thanks to which I have returned mum that I was not going to church. It how I felt; I hated all those who loved to our Heavenly Father. was the worst moment in God. But deep in my heart I still looked I would like my life because I ended for love and hoped someone would to tell you what my relationship with love me too. happened before God and suffered my conversion to from spiritual steril- make you aware ity for the next ten what may occur if years. Being unaware you sever your relationship that I was looking for my father’s with God. I was brought up seeing my love in older men I found myself being father stay at home on Sunday morn- used by such men. I have a child by ings to watch movies on TV while my one of them. My idols became money, mother forced my brother, sister and sex and alcohol and I thought that this I to go to church. I was annoyed by was real life. I also looked for love on what I considered to be an injustice. the Internet. My feelings were well and He still does not go to the church and truly misplaced. I trusted in sinful peo- I pray for him to be reconciled with ple more than Jesus who alone could God. I always felt unwell in the church give me love. – before Holy Communion I felt sick In high school I came across a book or light headed; I was afraid and want- about the subconscious. I began to con- ed to go home. centrate my focus on gaining money.

8 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 But I hated myself for being so imper- knew what was good and fect... I tried to be perfect in everything bad. I had so much of it that I did. I began my own business – perfect Fear it took us two days to throw on the outside, rotten on the inside. it all away. Th e tarot cards did and no sleep not want to burn; we could hear I lived this life for ten years. Once horrible rumblings coming from I started to feel a strong pain in my the burning books. Th en I began Manipulate and lie chest and I could not breathe. I had no a fi ght for my soul – making my fi rst I trained others and went on courses appetite, I could not think, I could not confession aft er ten years, meeting of hypnosis, neuro-linguistic program- hear anything, I felt terrible. Each night with an exorcist and saying prayers ming (NLP), personal development and on going to bed I saw green shiny eyes for liberation and healing. Th e bat- the law of attraction. I bought sever- like those of cats’. At the beginning it tle is not fi nished yet, but thanks to al talismans, tarot cards and stones of was just one pair of eyes but while I was Jesus I become stronger every day. happiness thinking that things could praying to my idols, there were more make me happy. I did not realise that and more of them. I felt worse, and by behaving in this way I would hurt I realized that I should do some- my sister, who loved God and prayed thing but I did not know what. Christ’s soldier for me all the time. I hated her then. Later it transpired that my sister I closed my business but I taught people how to manipulate and had introduced exorcised salt in the I still have credit card debts to lie to others and pray to idols. I was an house. She had fi lled all the salt-cellars pay off . I am looking for work and expert in relaxation techniques, in the with it. My taking this salt resulted in if I give most of my salary to the banks law of attraction and NLP – I taught how the devil reacting against me. for ten years, I will redeem my debts. to use it to be happy. But frankly speak- I thank-you Lord, for this diffi cult time ing I taught people how to die gradu- because I know that you love me and ally. I had wanted to show them that will not let me die. Today I tell people all I talked about was true, that I was Message from Jesus about God, I try to help them. Before rich. But this was a lie because I used six One night I was afraid of sleeping each conversation I ask the Lord to put credits cards to give the impression that and my sister was awake too. She came appropriate words in my mouth. I am I lived like a queen. I bought peoples’ to my room and said: ‘I have a mes- writing a book entitled “Christ’s sol- love and respect. I regret it and pray for sage from Jesus to you. Th ere are many dier.” My mission is to put people in all those people who had learned from demons around you who wait for your touch with love through the truth. me to forgive me. soul.’ I asked her to stop frightening ‘Besides, you know the time has me. ‘I am not trying to scare you. Th is come, the moment is here for you to is the truth. Jesus is waiting for you. stop sleeping and wake-up because our Th row away everything you have: tal- salvation is nearer than when we fi rst ismans, strange necklaces, rings, tarot began to believe. Th e night is nearly cards, books, everything which is con- over, daylight is on the way; so let us nected with Satan. You do have a free throw off everything that belongs to the will and while you do not have to listen darkness and equip ourselves for the to me, I have to save my family. If you light. Let us live decently, as in the light do not do this, I have to stop seeing of day; with no orgies or drunkenness, you for good’. no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealously. Let your ar- mour be the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop worrying about how your disordered Fight for a soul natural inclinations may be fulfi lled.’ Th at was enough for me. Next (Romans 13: 11-14) morning I asked my sister to help me in getting rid of all the evil stuff . She Magda Myczko, Poland

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 9 ThROUgh lifE WiTh ANgElS 90th anniversary of CSMA On 29th September 2011 is the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Congregation of St Michael the Archangel. On this joyful occasion we would like to acquaint you with our mission and the Knighthood movement (see page 12). The Michaelite brothers and sisters continue the ideals of blessed Father Bronislaw Markiewicz, taking care of abandoned and poor children in orphanages, schools and youth centres including missionary work in 13 countries. Father Kazimierz Radzik superior general of the Congregation visited Papua New Guinea recently.

What brings you to Australia? Currently, there is a movement to postulants, who are working in two Aproximitately every four years promote hosts for the Knights of St provinces: Western Highlands and I come and do a canonical visit to the Michael and to gather more devotees Enga. Th is is a good group and they Pacifi c Province and meet up with my to help spread this devotion. work well together even though those brother priests here in Australia and who are working in the Enga Province Papua New Guinea. We have seven Tell us about your visit to PNG. are very remotely located in the moun- priests working here in Australia I had a special reason for this tains. Wanepap has 15 outstations and as well as one postulant. I come to visit because of the great occasion Kasap 10. Mass is said at least once see the pastoral work they are do- of the Sacrament of Ordination of a month and the local people are com- ing especially with the youth which the fi rst Papua New Guinean, Peter ing to receive the Sacraments of rec- is part of our charism. I also want Kaupa becoming a Michaelite Priest. onciliation, baptism, marriage and to meet with the local bishops and Th e Ordination was held in his lo- anointing of the sick. In most cases discuss with them our involvement cal parish in Dirima, in the Chimbu the priests must travel to these outsta- especially in the fi eld of education. Province of PNG. Th is was a great tions by foot for it is impossible to go I am happy to see there are already joy to all of us in the Congregation there by car. At times it can take more numerous Catholic schools operat- and a hope for others, especially for than six hours to travel there. ing within our parishes. Th is creates the youth in this region. I was also opportunity and pastoral work for pleased for another New Guinean, How did the local people wel- the Michaelites. It is good to know Brother Thomas Lasen who in come you? that there is religious education in January, professed his fi nal vows. Our meeting with the people of these schools. Within the Australian Wanepap, Kasap and Kuli was an parishes, devotions of St. Michael How strong is the presence of aff ectionate one and their ways of have been established starting with Michaelites who are working in the welcoming us with their traditional the daily recital of the prayer aft er missions in PNG? dances and song was absolutely beau- every Mass and the chaplet being In PNG there are fi ve priests, 1 tiful. We all felt that these people were said on a monthly basis by devotees. brother, three seminarians and two very happy to see us in their parishes

10 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 and were keen to meet us, talk with parishes do not attend school because decided to be married while on us and pray with us. It was a very kind of tribal quarrels or because the par- their visit to PNG. The marriage cer- gesture that they would give us what ents are very poor. They do not have emony was organized by Fr Bogdan they could even though they are very the money to pay for the school. They Swierczewski and his Kuli parishion- poor. Their hearts are very open and attend the church but are unable to ers at the outstation of Kartanim. It generous and no matter where we pay school fees for their children. was celebrated in a partly completed went they were always freely giving I think with what we have in Australia, Shrine to the Divine Mercy, which to us. As we visited each parish, we in- Poland and other wealthier countries the people are constructing on their troduced the Chaplet of St Michael to perhaps we could consider helping own with some assistance from the the catechists, youth and parishioners. these families who have no money Michaelite parishes in Australia. We gave them some colourful chap- to pay for their children’s education. let beads lovingly made by devotees We must see this as a priority to help Overall, what was your outlook? of StMichael in Australia and taught these families and send their children I am very grateful and thank them the prayer. It seemed a fitting to school. It would be good if we could God for the work that my brother thing to do since it is the year of St develop a sponsoring system among priests do in Papua New Guinea Michael and he is the Patron Saint our families to adopt a child from and Australia. I feel that within the of Papua New Guinea. The people these parishes, receiving a photo of hearts of the people, the presence of seemed very keen to learn it and re- them and taking care of their educa- St Michael the Archangel and our ceive the beads. tion costs for a school year. founder, Blessed Markiewicz is near, helping and interceding for them. Did you see a need in the people Was there any other events you May the Lord bless and protect that we could help to fulfill? attended while in PNG? them always. I felt very sorry when I was in- It was very nice to be present for formed that many children in these an Australian-Polish couple who Interview by Caterina Raccosta

„„The members of the General Chapter of the Congregation of St Michael the Archangel, Marki, Poland, 2010

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 11 The Knighthood Host for the Knights of St Michael We would like to present a Catholic religious move- ment which can be seen as an answer to the ongoing endangerment to our faith.

National Animator. All the members of Knighthood. The Knights active- History the Knighthood are remembered and ly support the apostolate of the he Knighthood of St Michael recommended to St Michael’s protec- Congregation of St. Michael in their the Archangel was formed tion in every liturgy that is celebrated work with the youth, fostering voca- in 1994 with the initiative of in the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’ Angelo tions and aiding missionary causes. Tthe Congregation of Saint Michael in Gargano, Italy. the Archangel (CSMA) in Poland with approval from the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the How do you Faith. The Patron of the Knighthood How do the is St Michael the Archangel, the bib- become a Knight? lical warrior, whose name in Hebrew Knights fight? The movement has been operat- means “Who is like God”. The appa- The Knights are to proclaim the vic- ing in Poland for 17 years. However, ritions of St Michael the Archangel tory of Jesus Christ over Satan. Their its structures are being established in Monte Sant’ Angelo, Gargano, mission is to expiate God for the sins of in English-speaking countries Italy (in 490 AD) inspired devotions humankind and to obtain the conver- this year. If you are interested in to this Prince of the Heavenly Hosts sion of sinners. They aim to achieve this the Knighthood of St Michael the (Rev 12,7:9) whom we revere as the by reciting a prayer of exorcism every Archangel, you may wish to become Defender of the Church. day to keep away evil spirits from one- familiar with its statutes which is the The Knighthood is governed by self, the Church and the whole world, first step to becoming a Knight. The its own statutes. These statutes were particularly from those that are tempted statutes can be sent to you from our approved by the Superior General of and possessed by Satan. office in Poland via email redakcja. the Congregation of St Michael the Members carry out the duties of kjb@ gmail.com or please write to Archangel in August 1994. The head- recitation of the prayer of St Michael CSMA ul. Pilsudskiego 248/252, 05- quarters of the Knighthood is located (simple exorcism) after daily Mass, 261 Marki, Warsaw, Poland at the General House of the Michaelites praying the Chaplet of St. Michael (CSMA) in Warsaw, Poland. Since 2004 and holding monthly prayer meet- Agata Pawłowska, Fr Peter Prusakiewicz has been the ings in the local parish. Each mem- Editorial Office CSMA, Poland General Animator of the Knighthood. ber promotes devotion to St Michael Caterina Raccosta, Each country has its own appointed and encourages people to join the Michaelite Provincial Office

12 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 TESTIMONIES The Beatification of Blessed John Paul II 1st May 2011 – Feast of Divine Mercy

front of Our Lady of Fatima in thanks- giving for saving his life. For the first The Eternal City time I was able to find the very spot set out to the Eternal City a few days where the Holy Father was shot on May before the Mass of Beatification to 13th 1981. For some reason I was drawn prepare spiritually and practically to pray there often. It moved me. Also Ifor the days ahead. A small group adorning the Piazza was a 20 meters by of us from various parts of the UK 15 meters high image of the Pope gaz- gathered in the same hotel so that ing intently at the Cross. My eyes could we would be witnesses to the events not help but be drawn to the intensity unfolding together. I hope to take you of his gaze of love and union with the on this Pilgrimage of grace, through Cross of Christ. this reflection, knowing that so few A large icon of Our Lady and Jesus were able to travel from the UK. adorned another corner demonstrating What a joy it was once again to be- the motto of John Paul II ‘Totus Tuus hold the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica ego sum omnia mea tua sunt. Accipio and Piazza and breathe its atmos- te in mea omnia. Praebe miti cor tuum phere of grace and anticipation as Maria.’ – ‘I belong entirely to you, and the preparations for the Beatification all that I have is yours. I take you for my were under way. all, O Mary, give me your heart.’ This To be in the Vatican is like being in motto was taken from the Treatise on the very womb of the Church and I felt True Devotion to the blessed Virgin, took me through the highs and lows of so safe and secure there knowing that 266 by St. Louie Gringnon de Montfort. his life to the peaks of joy and ecstasy I was present with so many millions as well as into the depths of his per- of others from around the world all of sonal suffering and crucifixion. What the same Catholic faith and expecta- a witness of Catholic Apostolic Faith tion. St. Peter’s Square was adorned with A witness of in its fullness of vision, life and action! a banner depicting poignant moments The journey took me through his life, of each year of the long Pontificate of Catholic Faith papacy, mysticism, faith and love for beloved Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI had inaugu- the Church, along side a window into rated a special exhibition in tribute to his world of theatre, poetry, kayaking, his beloved predecessor. For an hour cycling, skiing, and his disposition of or more I journeyed through the life general joie de vie! He was truly a man Our Lady of Fatima of Pope John Paul from his earliest fully alive in Christ in every aspect of For me the most moving one was infancy to his moment of birth into his humanity – body, mind and spirit. the image of Pope John Paul kneeling in Heaven and beyond. This pilgrimage What a giant of a man who became

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 13 a giant of a priest, bishop, cardinal and Feast which he declared as a Feast of pope! The experience of reliving the the Universal Church. I was present at shooting of May 13th 1981 in video pre- his funeral liturgies in 2005 and it was sentation penetrated to my very heart. my privilege to be there once again for I palpably felt every shot and wept…and his Beatification….after all I was one then the experience of him rising again of the 2 million in 2005 who joined the from the jaws of death for another 25 crowd chorus of “Santo Subito!”. The years, for a fruitful pontificate blessed declaration of the Feast of Divine Mercy mightily by the Lord – to the moment and the canonisation of St Faustina (the when he again began an ascent of his first saint of the new Millennium) were personal Mt Calvary with his deterio- two of the first acts of Pope John Paul rating Parkinson’s disease. The agony II in celebrating the Jubilee Year of of those final weeks and months struck 2000 and which highlighted the im- me deeper than ever before. portance of the Mission and devotion His deep faith, suffering in union with of Divine Mercy for our time. In the his Crucified Lord and his Sorrowful end we will only have left, recourse to Mother were a vivid portrayal of the God’s Mercy…. immensity of the power and efficacy of My personal preparation centred Redemptive Suffering for the salvation around Masses, prayer and devotion of souls. The look of agony as he stood at in both St Peter’s Basilica and Santo the window gazing upon the hundreds of Spirito Church—the Church designated thousands of pilgrims in the Piazza and by Pope John Paul as the heart of devo- The sacrifices involved, the tensions gave his final blessing to us was almost tion of Divine Mercy. So many connec- and the difficulties to achieve this were more than I could bare to see. In that tions and associations. My Confession all worth it. We were full of gratitude moment he could not speak and could was in the Confessional which John to God knowing that so many others barely raise his hand – this was his final Paul II used to use on Good Fridays. were on the outskirts as far back as farewell to us upon this earth and the The priest gave me a Novena leaflet of the Tiber, Circus Maximus and Castle suffering Christ was visible in his face Saint Gianna Molla—a saint close to St Angelo. The queuing from 9pm to and wracked body. Only love – a love far the heart of Pope John Paul who saved 6am when we finally arrived into the greater than any of us can ever fathom the life of her unborn child rather than Piazza was a life’s pilgrimage all of its could have held him upright in that mo- her own. This was a further encourage- own and not for the faint hearted! We ment. Thank you Blessed Pope John Paul ment to me to pray for all the millions had the joy of meeting people from all – you taught us how to live a life of faith of unborn babies who daily die through over the world, prayed with them, did in Christ and also how to die as a wit- abortion and other destructive unethi- penance with them, got crushed with ness to faith in the Crucified one with the cal medical techniques and chemical them and acknowledged all the com- hope of the Resurrection firmly rooted interventions. mon human frailties of impatience and in your heart. I pray that one day I can The Eve of the Beatification was agitation along side the experiencing have just one ounce of your faith and dawning and hundreds of thousands the expectations, hopes and faith of love for Jesus and Mary to sustain me in from every Nation were pouring in our fellow pilgrims. my final hours before meeting my God. waves into the Eternal City. Our little It meant we missed the Vigil at UK group under the mantle of Our Circus Maximus at which Sr Marie Lady of Walsingham, were carrying Simon-Pierre gave her testimony. She England, Our Lady’s Dowry and her was one of the people healed through Feast of Divine peoples with us. We decided to stay the intercession of Pope John Paul out on the streets all night prior to the and whose miracle was accepted. She Mercy Beatification to ensure that we would awoke one day to find she had been Pope John Paul II died on April 2nd be in the Piazza for this Mass. With 1.5 miraculously cured of Parkinson’s dis- 2005 at 9.37pm on the Vigil of the mov- million people present we were blessed ease. There were also testimonies from able Feast of Divine Mercy – the very to be given the grace of achieving this! others close to the Holy Father one of

14 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 of St Faustina, 30th April 2000 fol- lowed by the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet in different languages and a sung Jezu Ufam Tobie – Jesus I Trust in You! ‘What will the years ahead bring us? What will man’s future on earth be like? We are not given to know. However, it is certain that in addition to new prog- ress there will unfortunately be no lack of painful experiences. But the light of Divine Mercy, which the Lord in a way wished to return to the world through St Faustina’s charism, will illumine the way for the men and women of the third millennium.’ We were supported in prayer by heavenly music and a full choir. Then the great moment came as Pope Benedict arrived amongst us to rapturous ap- plause and cheering. How we loved him whom was Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, of Lebanon in Harissa, Our Lady of as he affirmed us by his presence and the late Pope’s personal secretary who Guadalupe in Mexico, and Our Lady faith. The Mass began with a sung ‘You said “If today he is proclaimed blessed of Fatima in Portugal. Following this, are Peter and the rite of Beatification it is only because he was already a saint eight Churches were open throughout soon followed after the penitential rite. in life, he was for us who were near to the night with Eucharistic Adoration Pope Benedict XVI invited Cardinal him. I knew he was a saint. I knew for for private prayer. Agostino Villani, the Vicar General of a long time when he was alive before Once in the Piazza we were in close the Diocese of Rome to proclaim the he was elected Pope. I knew it when proximity to groups of Sisters of the findings of the Congregations for the I began to live near him. The Pope in Holy Family from Poland and Mother Cause of Saints which prepared the way private was no different than the public Teresa’s sisters and laity from the USA, for Pope John Paul II to be declared Pope. He was always himself. Always Poland and Italy. At 6 am all we wanted ‘Blessed’. Pope Benedict then prayed the in front of God!”. to do was lie down after standing so formula of Beatification in Latin and long – but – no others were continuing declared Pope John Paul II Blessed John to stream in and we were like packed Paul II and declared that his Feast Day sardines but Deo Gratis! We were in would be celebrated on October 22nd The Mysteries the Piazza! The flags, balloons and ban- each year. In the Name of the Father, ners in their tens of thousands were and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. of Light waved and flowing in the breeze and Amen. Amen. Amen. The second part of the Vigil was the expectations of the millions present Following this there was a trium- centred upon the praying and medi- both in Rome and around the world phant fanfare of trumpets, organ, or- tating of the Mysteries of Light—first was growing to a crescendo. Solemnly chestra playing and choir singing to the introduced by the Pope and led by enthroned near the altar was the large great acclaim of the faithful who roared Cardinal Vallini. This part began with Image of the Divine Mercy borrowed their approval and ascent with strong the hymn “Open the doors to Christ.” from Santo Spirito Church. voice, thunderous applause and the ec- There was a simultaneous video link- Preparation for the Mass of static waving of myriads of flags and up with Marian Shrines dear to John Beatification began at 9 am with a read- banners representing every nation upon Paul II in Lagniewniki in Krakow, ing from the Homily of Pope John Paul earth. As this moment reached a climax Kawekamo in Tanzanier, Our Lady II on the occasion of the so the official Beatification Image of the

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 15 TESTIMONIES new Blessed was unveiled which hung the altar. This blood was taken in the from the front of St Peter’s Basilica. And hospital when his doctors thought he there we saw once again the beautiful might need a blood transfusion at some Homily and fatherly smile of Pope John Paul point in the future. Little did they know In his homily Pope Benedict began once again radiating down to us from that this blood would one day be part by saying…. ‘Dear Brothers and Sisters, St Peter’s as he always did! of a reliquary of a new Blessed! Six years ago we gathered in this Square The Rite of Beatification was con- to celebrate the funeral of Pope John cluded by a prayer of thanksgiving from Paul II. Our grief at his loss was deep, Cardinal Villani to Pope Benedict for but even greater was our sense of an Santo Subito the proclamation of John Paul II as immense grace which embraced Rome This moment of acclamation of joy- Blessed. This was followed by an ex- and the whole world: a grace which was ous praise and gratitude from faithful uberant sung Gloria in Latin which in some way the fruit of my beloved and clergy alike of the Church is a grace we all sang – and the Holy Father was predecessor’s entire life, and especially I will cherish for always. It lasted for 10 visibly full of uncontainable joy and of his witness in suffering. Even then we minutes. My heart could hardly contain gratitude to God for his predecessor. perceived the fragrance of his sanctity, the joy of this moment. The ‘sensum The Mass continued with great rever- and in any number of ways God’s People fidei’ which had called out so strongly ence and meditative silence so that we showed their veneration for him. For six years ago at his Funeral Mass on could all reflect upon the Scriptures and this reason, with all due respect for the April 8th 2005 – ‘Santo Subito’ had Eucharistic Mysteries which we were Church’s canonical norms, I wanted his been realised. The choir sang a short celebrating. The moments of silence cause of beatification to move forward Chorus with the words, ‘Open wide and reflection seem to be a hallmark with reasonable haste. And now the the doors of your heart to Christ’—the of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI longed-for day has come; it came quick- first words of John Paul II as he be- as we are always reminded that it is in ly because this is what was pleasing to gan his pontificate. As this happened, ‘silence’ we hear the voice of God deep the Lord: John Paul II is blessed! This Sr Marie Simon-Pierre and Sr Tobiana within. Like today amidst a storm of took me back six years as I too was pres- – head of the Blessed Pope’s apartments desolation I heard ‘Courage it is I’ from ent at his Funeral and I too was there as brought forward a relic of his blood to the Gospel of St. Mark! one of the two million who called Santo Subito – God Bless our Pope!” The full text of the Holy Father’s sermon is worth reading! I just high- light a few thoughts below. ‘Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, which Blessed John Paul II enti- tled Divine Mercy Sunday. The date was chosen for today’s celebration because, in God’s providence, my predecessor died on the vigil of this feast. Today is also the first day of May, Mary’s month, and the liturgical memorial of St the Worker. All these elements serve to enrich our prayer, they help us in our pilgrimage through time and space; but in heaven a very different celebration is taking place among the angels and saints! Even so, God is but one, and one too is Christ the Lord, who like a bridge joins earth to heaven. At this moment we feel closer than ever, sharing as it were in the liturgy of heaven.’

16 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 ending of the Mass was once again a joy- ous cascade of cheering, chanting, ban- ner and flag waving and the Santo Subito chant calling now for his canonisation! Act of Consecration And so the great crowd began to dis- perse – joyous and totally exhausted! As I left the Piazza I found myself walking besides an American bishop who was gentle and still in awe of the beautiful liturgies he had just had the privilege to be a concelebrant to. I sensed the hand of beloved Blessed John Paul II in this My own service was sustained by his providential meeting! You see I had with spiritual depth and by the richness of me his Prayer of Act of Consecration to Totus Tuus his insights. His example of prayer con- the Immaculate Heart of Mary which he The Holy Father throughout his tinually impressed and edified me: he had prayed in St Peter’s Square before the sermon affirmed the joy of the Risen remained deeply united to God even Statue of Our Lady of Fatima on March Christ, the grace of the Feast of Divine amid the many demands of his minis- 25th 1984! I told the Bishop how for Mercy, the model of faith of the Blessed try. Then too, there was his witness in over 22 years I had been petitioning and Virgin Mary under whose man- suffering: the Lord gradually stripped praying that the Bishops of England and tle Blessed John Paul II lived his life him of everything, yet he remained ever Wales would re consecrate our countries – Totus Tuus – the Primacy of Peter, a “rock”, as Christ desired. to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart the grace of the Second Vatican Council His profound humility, grounded in of Mary. As this Bishop listened to me, he in which John Paul II as Karol Wojtyla close union with Christ, enabled him took the prayer and said ‘If the Bishops participated and influenced some of to continue to lead the Church and of England and Wales do this it will save the major documents. The Pope also to give to the world a message which England and Wales.’ These were the first spoke at length of the long and fruitful became all the more eloquent as his words I heard as I left the Beatification Pontificate of Blessed John Paul II and physical strength declined. In this way Mass. I feel they were given from the proclaimed again his words at the start he lived out in an extraordinary way Lord in the Holy Spirit, and a direct en- of his Pontificate - ‘Do not be afraid. the vocation of every priest and bishop couragement from Blessed John Paul II Open, open wide the doors to Christ!’ to become completely one with Jesus, who first prayed the prayer all those years The Pope then finished with a beau- whom he daily receives and offers in ago. These words are prophetic! tiful and moving personal note— the Church. Blessed are you, beloved ‘Finally, on a more personal note, Pope John Paul II, because you believed! I would like to thank God for the gift Continue, we implore you, to sustain of having worked for many years with from heaven the faith of God’s people. O Sorrowful and Blessed Pope John Paul II. I had known You often blessed us in this Square from him earlier and had esteemed him, but the Apostolic Palace: Bless us, Holy Immaculate Heart for twenty-three years, beginning in Father! Amen.’ 1982 after he called me to Rome to be What a beautiful testimony to a spiri- of Mary pray for us! Prefect of the Congregation for the tual friendship rooted in Christ of genu- Pope Benedict XVI has recently spo- Doctrine of the Faith, I was at his side ine love, respect and faith. Let us make ken of Marian Acts of Consecration and came to revere him all the more. Pope Benedict’s prayer our own. The during the Television Question time

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 17 TESTIMONIES ANGELS IN ART he participated in on Good Friday. The tomb of Cardinal Henry Duke of York Pope invites us ‘to enter into this en- …who initiated a crusade of prayer in trustment that has already been made, the 17th century for the Conversion of Today, we are so familiar so that we might truly live it every day, England…and who was the brother of with angels and what they and thus that a truly Marian Church Bonnie Prince Charlie, also buried there look like that we can find it might grow, a Church that is Mother, along with their Father King James III. hard to imagine a time when Bride, and Daughter of Jesus’... Here in All of them are buried a stone’s throw the first images of angels ap- England the laity are doing just that from the tomb of St Peter in the Crypt peared in art. through making their own the Text of St Peter’s. I spent a week in Rome to of 1984 ...and in time hopefully the celebrate the Beatification of beloved Bishops will also make it their own? Blessed John Paul II to be strength- The Holy Father invites us to do this ened in my faith on the very Rock upon he earliest image of an an- but does not rule out that one day it which Jesus founded his Church. When gel depicted in Christian may be necessary for him as Pope to I am in St Peter’s I experience that I am art dates from the middle of also renew it. For now we respond to in the very womb of the Church. In Tthe third century and was found his call. Again I would invite you to some ways the prayer ‘Jesus I Trust in in the Catacomb of Priscilla. This read the full texts of the questions he You’ and ‘Totus Tuus’ have penetrated angel is interesting in that it was answered on Good Friday. deeper into my heart. A final gift to depicted without wings. It was me before I left Rome was to be given not until the time of the Emperor a piece of marble excavated from near Constantine that angels began to the tomb of St Peter. Nothing remark- be appear with wings and indeed Soaked in prayer able in this! Yet it’s message to me was this is a characteristic that we The Day after the Beatification Mass to hold onto the Rock which is Christ would look for today to identify I joined the queue to venerate the body and his Church, to be a faithful Catholic an angel in art. of the new Blessed whose coffin was -ly and to pray much for His Holiness the Angels were a common feature ing in State in the central isle of St Peter’s Pope, for the Church and for God’s will of early Christian art. In the East, Basilica. The queuing had moments of to be done on earth as it is in Heaven! angels were to feature prominently prayer and encounter with all the other I spent a week in Rome to celebrate in icons from the Byzantine era. hundreds of thousands doing the same. the Beatification of beloved Blessed The painting of icons was devel- I had the grace to remain 3 hours pray- John Paul II to be strengthened in my oped over the centuries with its ing near my beloved Pope John Paul II faith on the very Rock upon which Jesus own distinctive style and tech- and it was a joy to join in the recita- founded his Church. When I am in St nique. One only has to think of tion of the Rosary and sung Litany of Peter’s I experience that I am in the very some of the celebrated icons from the Blessed Virgin Mary accompanied womb of the Church. In some ways this tradition to see how frequently by meditations upon the mysteries by the prayer ‘Jesus I Trust in You’ and angels are depicted. one of the Cardinals. St Peter’s became ‘Totus Tuus’ have penetrated deeper The icon of the three angels at soaked in prayer invoking the powerful into my heart. A final gift to me before the Oak of Mamre (Gen. 18) by intercession of Our Lady. I left Rome was to be given a piece of Andrei Rublev (c. 1410) is one of Other memorable moments of marble excavated from near the tomb of the most instantly recognisable communal prayer were experienced St Peter. Nothing remarkable in this! Yet images in religious art. This icon at the General Audience with Pope it’s message to me was to hold onto the shows the three mysterious visitors Benedict, further times of prayer by Rock which is Christ and his Church, who approached in the St Sebastian’s altar which is now the to be a faithful Catholic and to pray desert. Abraham and Sarah offered new Blessed’s place of rest. We had early much for His Holiness the Pope, for the them hospitality as was the cus- morning Mass near the tomb of St Peter Church and for God’s will to be done tom among the nomadic people of and had the blessing of being permit- on earth as it is in Heaven! that time. In return the visitors gave ted to pray by the tomb of Cardinal a prophetic message that Sarah will Merry de Val who wrote the ‘Prayer Antonia Moffat give birth to a son. The three angel- for England’. Near to his tomb was the Walsingham, England ic visitors of Rublev’s icon are often

18 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 Angels through the Ages interpreted as the three Persons of the Ghirlandaio (1483-1561) which is in Trinity. As we contemplate these fig- the Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence. ures seated around a table, they appear Ridolfo depicts three angels, one of to be both masculine and feminine at whom is kneeling in adoration. His the same time. The faces of the angels use of colour is exceptional and he is are identical suggesting that they share able to give each of these angels a per- something in common. At the centre sonality that we do not see with the of the image is a cup which perhaps earlier Rublev icon. These angels have suggests the Eucharist – the sacrament a poise and a delicacy which shows where we enter into communion with them to be heavenly beings rather the life of the Trinity. than creatures of the earth. In the West, angels in Christian Perhaps today, artists are less likely art were depicted in a variety of ways to depict angels in art, but angels are – in painting, frescos, sculpture and in still to be seen particularly in public stained glass. The mediaeval cathedrals art. In the aftermath of the First World of western Europe are a great testa- War many towns and villages erected ment to how angels were depicted us- memorials to those who died in the ing these different media. trenches. Bronze or stone sculptures During the Renaissance peri- of angels are to be found in many od, paintings by Botticelli, Raphael places giving comfort to those fami- and Leonardo da Vinci were to de- lies and communities who remember pict angels with exquisite beauty and those who died in the conflicts of the grace. The use of colour and light in twentieth century and also in more Renaissance art gave angels a more recent years. natural appearance. Among the Another notable representation painters of the Renaissance were the of an angel in public art is Sir Ghirlandaio Family of Florence. The Epstein’s St Michael and the devil name Ghirlandaio would become (1956-1958) at Coventry Cathedral, a trademark for the workshop of art- England. This bronze sculpture is 19 ists from this family who were active feet in height and shows a victorious during the second half of the fifteenth St Michael subduing the devil who is change with artistic style. Yet we will century. The Ghirlandaio Family came bound hand and foot beneath the arch- still be able to recognise these incor- to dominate Florentine art with the angel. This dramatic image was a re- poreal beings as God’s holy messengers support of a number of wealthy pa- minder to those who had lived through who reflect God’s beauty, goodness trons who commissioned their work. the Second World War of the victory and love. The skill of these artists can of Good over Evil. be seen in Tre Angeli rivolti In the twenty-first century just as in Father Andrew Kingham a destra/a sinistra by Ridolfo del the third, how angels are depicted will St Andrews, Scotland

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 19 ANGELS IN THE BIBLE Angels – our most powerful allies Godly and just when was suffering from harsh ordeals, he asked himself, “Is not human life on earth just conscript service?” (Job 7:1) Christ’s life was also full of hard- ships. He continuously fought with the three evil powers: Satan, the world and the body.

ccording to Andre Combes, an author and authority on the life of St Thérèse, these Athree powers were a sinister tril- ogy which endangered people all the time. The lives of the twelve Apostles and of St Paul were also lived in constant combat and many ended in martyrdom. However, their deaths turned out victorious as they resembled their Master’s death on the cross. Their generation laid the foundations of Christianity which changed the world. St Paul described and encouraged us to wear equipment for spiritual war- fare. It was compared to the armour of a Roman legionary: “breastplate”, “belt”, heavens.” (Eph 6:12) It is a fight between The Babylonian Talmud called it “helmet”, “shoes”, “shield” and “sword” God and Satan who dared to attack Jesus “a song of satanic plagues” for it included (Eph 6: 14-17) St Paul particularly em- at the beginning of His mission. “He has many metaphors depicting evil whereas phasised the shield and the sword for given His angels orders about you to Paul Claudel (1868-1955), one of the great- they symbolized faith and the Word guard you wherever you go. They will est Christian writers, named it “a hymn of of God: “Always carrying the shield of carry you in their arms in case you trip Saintly Angels” due the beautiful 11th and faith so that you can use it to quench the over the stone.” 12th verses. The Psalm is about spiritual burning arrows of the evil one. And then Pope Paul VI made an address warfare. On the one hand, it presents the you must take salvation as your helmet “Deliver us from evil” during a general dangers and attacks of the evil one; on and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the audience in 1972: “Evil is not only the the other hand, it suggests trust in vic- word of God.” (Eph 6: 16-17) lack of something; it is an active living tory. There are twelve metaphors of evil: Spiritual warfare takes place in each being, who is perverted and who per- ‘the snare of the fowler’, ‘destruction’, ‘the human heart, “For it is not against hu- verts others. It is a frightening reality. terrors of night’, ‘the arrow that flies in the man enemies that we have to struggle, but Satan is our top enemy. He acts faith- daytime’, ‘the plague that stalks in the dark- against the principalities and the ruling lessly and deceitfully; he hides himself ness’, ‘the scourge that wreaks havoc at high forces who are masters of the darkness but via erroneous opinions he spreads noon’, ‘disaster’, ‘plague’, ‘wild beast’, ‘adder’, in this world, the spirits of evil in the chaos in mankind.” ‘lions’ and ‘snakes’ (Psalm 91).

20 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 In line 13 the Psalmist advises us not to be afraid although total war seems to have broken out by evil powers. St Therese of Lisieux once had a dream, in which she chased by two little devils who hid behind barrels in a cellar. What is our spiritual power against the evil? It is deep faith expressed in the first two lines of the psalm 91. God is called with four names: “Yahweh” (“yhwh” in Hebrew), “God” (“elohim” in Hebrew) and two other names indicating particular at- tributes of God: “the Highest” (“elyon” in Hebrew) and “Almighty” (“shaddai” in Hebrew). The Highest name repre- sents wisdom and power of God rul- ing the world and heavens. Almighty is the name, which God uses to introduce Himself to Abraham, and Jacob before He reveals His name Yahweh, Lord, to . Although God is known and worshipped under many names, it is Yahweh, Lord, to which particular Divine intervention is connected. Having seen His nation’s suffer- DO YOU KNOW …? ings in Egyptian slavery, God hears their complaints and “descends” to take them away from the Pharaoh and leads them to the Promised Land. (Ex 3:7-8) The psalmist, in an intimate re- Why are angels lationship with Lord, he cries out, “My God in whom I trust!” His trust seems boundless for God is named his “for- tress”. God responds with maternal fascinating? love and tenderness to such a declara- tion. The Lord sends angels to those The first reason angels are fascinating is their otherness. They who worship and via pure spiritual are utterly different from anything we ordinarily experience. beings He spreads His protective arm They are fascinating for the same reason UFOs and extrater- over those who love Him: “The angel restrial beings would be fascinating if they were real: they do of Yahweh encamps around those who not fit familiar earthly categories. fear Him, and rescues them.” (Ps 34:7) Enemies of our salvation obstinately set traps for us by making use of weak- ow fascinated would you be separation between the “out there” nesses in our human nature. if aliens really landed here, and the “down here”. Meeting an an- Angels, help us live in fear of God if you knew it was not just gel is a true “close encounter” with and wish only what leads to Him and Ha science fiction story but literal an alien. Second, we are naturally eternal happiness. fact? Well, it is fact. Angels are the fascinated by intelligence in nonhu- real aliens among us, the real extra- man form. That’s why we also find Fr Henryk Skoczylas CSMA terrestrials. They overcome the safe the higher, more intelligent animals

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 21 DO YOU KNOW …? Angels and the Divine Mercy fascinating and why little children if Jesus was in error, he was not di- The Modern world knows the naturally love stories about talking vine and infallible; and if he was not image of a Merciful Jesus animals. We can’t stand being alone divine and infallible, Christianity is according to a vision of St in the universe. essentially false. So to be a Christian Faustina. The more people are I once gave a questionnaire to includes believing in angels. Or per- interested in Divine Mercy, the a few hundred of my college students haps the question means: Can you be more dangers appear in mis- and asked, among other strange ques- saved, can you go to heaven, without understanding that attribute tions, these two: (1) Are you very in- believing in angels? Yes. You don’t get of God, for we tend to forget terested in angels? (2) Are you very to heaven by believing in angels. You about God’s justice. interested in animals? I expected that get to heaven by believing in Jesus, these two questions would divide by repenting of sin and accepting the students into the “materialists”, God’s forgiveness. Or perhaps the There are five misinterpreta- who would be interested in animals question means: Can you be a good tions of Divine Mercy: but not angels, and the “spiritualists”, person without believing in angels? who would be interested in angels Of course. But “Christian” does not 1. Divine Mercy but not animals. But I found instead mean “good person”. Some Christians is oblivion that most students were interested are not very good people, and some either in both animals and angels very good people are not professing The one who forgives, does not re- or in neither. Christians. member what they forgive. On the Those who were interested in All orthodox Christians believe the contrary, human memory is going neither were usually majoring in, or teachings of the Bible, and angels are to be improved so that we will re- intrested in sociology, politics, or eco- clearly taught throughout the Bible. member all good and bad deeds nomics. The abstractions of ideology Catholics also believe all the public, we committed on earth. Divine and finance are much more mundane official, creedal, binding teachings of mercy forgives, not forgets. than the smell of a dog. There may be the Church. These are de fide, of faith dogs in heaven (why not?), but not – not my faith but the Faith, the public, dollars. A third reason we are fasci- universal Catholic Faith. This includes 2. Divine Mercy nated with angels is that they are re- angels. Angels are de fide. The Fourth is a prescription ally superior beings. We are supposed Lateran Council explicitly declared to think that superiority is somehow that. So to be a believing Catholic is Many people ask: “Let us live in suspicious and that equality is good to believe (among other things) in an- the current moment. Let us not and true and even beautiful. But deep gels. If angels are myths, the Church return to what had happened. down we know that equality is bor- has been teaching error and she is not Why shall we recollect the past?” ing and that superiority and hierar- what she claims to be. In that case, But God requires full responsibil- chy and excellence are true and good she may be in error on other issues, ity which reaches eternity. and (especially) beautiful. We secretly on any issue. long to bend the knee.Angels don’t fit As to what Catholics must believe into our flat, one-level, ranch-style about angels and about anything else, 3. Divine Mercy modern universe. They fit the old the new Catechism of the Catholic is tolerance vertical universe. They’re superior; Church is the clearest and most re- they’re supernatural. cent definitive work to answer that We should take people as they are; Can you be a Christian without question. Next to the Bible, it should they have a right to do what they believing in angels? Angels are not at be every Catholic’s primary reference consider good because they are the very center of Christianity; Christ book today. free. Tolerance is used as an argu- is. To be a Christian is essentially to ment for misunderstood freedom. believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of Peter Kreeft, However, the word “tolerance” God and the Savior. But Jesus clearly “Angels (and demons). does not exist in the Bible. Instead, taught the existence of angels. So if What do we really there is “patient love”, which waits angels don’t exist, Jesus was in error; know about them?”

22 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 Justice or Mercy? for a person to take responsibility for justice. Divine Mercy is a chance for us their conduct. Patient love does not to respect His justice and take respon- connive at bad deeds. God is not tol- sibility for what we do. That chance is erant as the world wants Him to be. valid till our death; if we take it, we do He is our Father who never agrees not have be afraid of God’s justice for to misuse freedom by His children. we will show Him our deeds settled in He waits so that we could become the Sacrament of Atonement. smarter; He is patient, not tolerant.

4. Excessive trust Why do we deform in Divine Mercy is treated by people as a gate to sins Divine Mercy? The answer consists of many ele- However, the Church considers such ments but let us suggest one; it is an attitude one of the most deadly the fall of parental authority in fam- sins. “I can sin because I can con- ilies. Modern parents are no longer fess,” say those who think that Divine guardians of their families, they are Mercy is like a washing machine not seen as having any obligations cleaning all stains in their hearts. But towards their children and do not the sin is not like a stain; it is like bring them up to be responsible. It a razor blade cutting off connection is often that those children are aged between God’s heart and mine. Lack 40 or more nowadays and they do of trust in human relationships caus- not respect their parents. Moreover, es hurts and puts distance between children may overlay an image of people. Our relationship with God is a weak father onto God. According a thousand times more delicate than to them, God is then seen as weak. with others. We should never forget that God is If we happen to commit a sin, we just and merciful. He would not be may not throw it away. Instead, we perfect if He was only just and did may bring it to a Merciful God with 5. Divine Mercy relieves not take into consideration the pos- remorse. God will take our deed and us of responsibility sibility of people’s conversion. A just ask us to plant it in our gardens so God wishes to forgive us for each bad that it could bear fruits of Divine We can observe the escape from re- deed if only we would take respon- Mercy. We can trust God because he sponsibility almost everywhere: in sibility for it here on earth. A just is just; we can meet Him even when broken marriages, in the poor rais- God wants to bring to responsibility, we disappoint Him because He is ing of children, in politics and the even to responsibility for His Mercy. merciful. Let us sing Him a thanks- economy, in dirty money, in broken We should thank God for His jus- giving song today and forever. holy orders, in lack of accountability tice for He punishes for bad deeds for the media. There is no field of life and rewards for good ones. And let Fr Edward Staniek where there would not be people es- us realize that there are much more caping from responsibility. However, good deeds in our lives than the bad Sermon said on the Divine Mercy Sunday, in the moment of death we will meet ones. So we can be sure that God will 2009, in Felician Sisters’ Church of God’s justice. No one can avoid His reward us in eternity. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cracow

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 23 TESTIMONIES Michael, Michael of the morning… This is the true story of a Marine wounded in Korea in 1950. Writing to his mother, he told her of a fascinating encounter he experienced in the war. Father Walter Muldy, a navy chaplain who spoke to the young Marine and his mother as well as to the outfit commander, always affirmed the veracity of this narrative.

e heard it from someone fellow walking beside me, and I looked in top shape because I could not see who read the original letter to see who it was. He was a big fellow, his breath at all. Just then, it started to and retell the story here in a Marine about 6’4” and built propor- snow heavily, and soon it was so dense Wall its details and in the first person tionally. Funny, but I did not know him, I could no longer hear or see the rest of to better convey some of the impact it and I thought I knew everyone in my my outfit. I got a little scared and yelled, must have had when first told by the unit. I was glad to have the company “Michael!” Then I felt his strong hand son to his mother. and broke the silence between us: “Chilly on my shoulder and heard his voice in Dear Mom, today, isn’t it?” Then I chuckled because my ear, “It is going to clear up soon.” I am writing to you from a hospital suddenly it seemed absurd to talk about It did clear up, suddenly. And then, bed. Do not worry, Mom, I am okay. the weather when we were advancing to just a short distance ahead of us, like I was wounded, but the doctor says meet the enemy. He chuckled too, softly. so many dreadful realities, were seven that I will be up in no time. But that “I thought I knew everyone in my Commies, looking rather comical in is not what I have to tell you, Mom. outfit,” I continued, “ but I have never their funny hats. But there was noth- Something happened to me that I do seen you before.” ing funny about them now; their guns not dare tell anyone else for fear of their “No,” he agreed, “I have just joined. were steady and pointed straight in our disbelief. But I have to tell you, the one The name is Michael.” direction. person I can confide in, though even “Really?! That’s mine, too.” “Down, Michael!!” I yelled as I dove you may find it hard to believe. “I know,” the Marine said, “Michael, for cover. Even as I was hitting the You remember the prayer to Saint Michael of the morning….” ground, I looked up and saw Michael Michael that you taught me to pray Mom, I was really surprised that still standing, as if paralysed by fear, or so when I was little: “Michael, Michael he knew about my prayer, but I had I thought at the time. Bullets were spurt- of the morning,…” Before I left home taught it to many of the other guys, so ing all over the place, and Mom, there for Korea, you urged me to remember I supposed that the newcomer must was no way those Commies could have this prayer before any confrontation have picked it up from someone else. missed at that short distance. I jumped with the enemy. But you really did not As a matter of fact, it had got around to up to pull him down, and then I was hit. have to remind me, Mom. I have al- the extent that some of the fellows were The pain was like a hot fire in my chest, ways prayed it, and when I got to Korea, calling me “Saint Michael.” and as I fell, my head swooned and I re- I sometimes said it a couple of times Then, out of the blue, Michael said, member thinking, “I must be dying…” a day while marching or resting. Well, “There’s going to be trouble ahead.” Someone was laying me down, one day, we were told to move forward I wondered how he could know that. strong arms were holding me and lay- to scout for Commies. I was breathing hard from the march, ing me gently on the snow. Through It was a really cold day. As I was and my breath hit the cold air like dense the daze, I opened my eyes, and the sun walking along, I perceived another clouds of fog. Michael seemed to be seemed to blaze in my eyes. Michael

24 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 I hand-picked all you fellows, and there is only one Michael. You. And son, you were not walking with anyone. I was watching you because you were too far off from us, and I was worried. Now tell me, son,” he repeated, “how did you do it?” It was the second time he had asked me that, and I found it irritating. “How did I do what?” “How did you kill those seven Commies? There was not a single bul- let fired from your rifle.” “What?” “Come on, son. They were strewn all around you, each one killed by was standing still, and there was a ter- “How did you do it, son?” he asked a swordstroke.” rible splendour in his face. Suddenly, me. And that, Mom, is the end of my he seemed to grow, like the sun, the “Where is Michael?” I asked in story. It may have been the pain, or the splendor increasing intensely around reply. blazing sun, or the chilling cold. I do him like the wings of an angel. As “Michael who?” The sergeant not know, Mom, but there is one thing I slipped into unconsciousness, I saw seemed puzzled. I am sure about. It happened. that Michael held a sword in his hand, “Michael, the big Marine walking Love, and it flashed like a million lights. with me, right up to the last moment. Michael Later on, when I woke up, the rest I saw him there as I fell.” Taken from the website: of the guys came to see me with the “Son”, the sergeant said gravely, ww.americaneedsfatima.org sergeant. “you are the only Michael in my unit. on 16th May, 2010

This prayer that the soldier referred When the world cracked because of a sneer in heaven, Round us and over us the cold thoughts creeping, to is likely a take-off of Chesterton’s Leaving out of all time a scar upon the sky, (Michael, Michael: Michael of the battle-cry!) Thou didst rise up against the Horror in the highest, Round us and under us the thronged worlds sleeping, poem, see below: Dragging down the highest that looked down on the Most High: (Michael, Michael: Michael of the Charge!) Rending from the seventh heaven the hell of exaltation Guard us the Word; the trysting and the trusting Down the seven heavens till the dark seas burn: Edge upon honour and the blade unrusting. Michael, Michael, of the morning, Thou that in thunder threwest down the Dragon Fine as the hair and tauter than the harpstring, Fresh chord of Heaven adorning, Knowest in what silence the Serpent can return. Ready as when it rang upon the target Keep me safe today Down through the universe the vast night falling, He that giveth peace unto us; not as the world giveth: And in time of temptation, (Michael, Michael: Michael of the Morning!) He that giveth law unto us; not as the scribes: Drive the devil away. Far down the universe the deep calms calling, Shall He be softened for the softening of the cities (Michael, Michael: Michael of the Sword!) Patient in usury; delicate in bribes? Bid us not forget in the baths of all forgetfulness, They that come to quiet us, saying the sword is broken, “To St Michael, In the sigh long drawn from the frenzy and the fretfulness, Break men with famine, fetter them with gold, In the huge holy sempiternal silence, Sell them as sheep; and He shall know the selling, In Time of Peace” In the beginning was the Word. For He was more than murdered. He was sold.

G.K. Chesterton (ca. 1929) When from the deeps a dying God astounded Michael, Michael: Michael of the Mastering, Angels and devils who do all but die, Michael of the marching on the mountains of the Lord, Michael, Michael: Michael of the Morning, Seeing Him fallen where thou couldst not follow, Marshal the world and purge of rot and riot, Michael of the Army of the Lord. Seeing Him mounted where thou couldst not fly, Rule through the world till all the world be quiet: Stiffen thou the hand upon the still sword, Michael, Hand on the hilt, thou hast halted all thy legions, Only establish when the World is broken, Folded and shut upon the sheathed sword, Michael, Waiting the Tetelestai and the acclaim, What is unbroken is the Word. Under the fullness of the white robes falling, Swords that salute Him dead and everlasting Gird us with the secret of the sword. God beyond God and greater than His Name. It is in Vol. 10 of the Collected Works, p. 174.

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 25 ANGELIC PLACES America’s oldest church (Part 2) The oldest operational church in the United States is not found on the U.S. coast either east or west, but instead, like a spear thrust deep into the heart, is found near the centre of the land.

with no funds to fix the mission, the steps. The ceiling Christian Brothers determined to is made in the San Miguel tear down the old church. News of original style with the mission’s fate soon brought people a series of large through the years from all over the region, young and wooden beams n 1692 the Spanish returned and old, willing to do whatever they could creating a long, regained control of New Mexico. to save San Miguel. Repairs and resto- narrow worship Govenor General Don Diego de rations once again spared the mission space. Ten rows of wooden pews have IVargas at once inspected San Miguel the dusty fate of most of the other been added to the chapel and the mud and “ordered its prompt restoration original mission churches in New floor has been covered with wood. and repair.” Repairs and restorations Mexico and have since earned this Inside, the chapel is full of wonder- took 17 years to complete and in 1710 beloved church the title of the “Oldest ful artistic treasures. The wooden a massive beam was installed to sup- Church in America.” altar screen dates from 1798 and is port the choir loft. San Miguel was Unfortunately there are concerns the oldest wooden “reredos” in New the center of Christian worship in mentioned by a clerk at the mission Mexico. According to the Christian Santa Fe until a few years later when gift shop that the Old San Miguel Brothers, “The top rectangular paint- the new military chapel, Our Lady Mission has again fallen on hard ing is of St Michael flanked by St. of Light, was built. The mission was times and is once again threatened. Teresa on the left and St. Gertrude on then seldom used for the next 70 Like many other churches in the area, the right. In the center is the paint- years and fell into serious disrepair. it may be sold into private hands, ing of Christ the Nazarene with St In 1798, 200 years after it was cease operating as a Francis of Assisi to the left and St. first built say the Christian Brothers, and instead become a museum. Louis on the right.” Standing in the “the Mayor of Santa Fe, Alfarez Don center niche is a carved wooden stat- Antonio Jose Ortiz, took pity on the ue of St Michael, which is believed to Old San Miguel Mission and, with be the oldest statue of St Michael in great personal expense, made numer- An array the United States and celebrates his ous major repairs including the con- victory over Satan. struction of the beautiful altar screen of treasures The statue is covered with ges- that can still be seen in the present day Like a sunken Spanish galleon, San so and gold leaf and dates from at sanctuary.” A three-tiered tower was Miguel Mission is awash in valuable least 1709 when it was brought from constructed in 1830 but was destroyed and historic treasures. Visitors can Mexico. There is also a 400-year-old during an unprecedented 4.5 earth- peer through plexiglas-covered holes painting of St Michael the Archangel quake that came on the heels of a pow- in the walls and the floors to view on buffalo hide along with a couple of erful winter storm in 1872. So, in 1887 the original walls, and the sanctuary other very rare buffalo hide paintings.

26 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 family in 1712. Others argue that In the same book, Rev. W.J. Howlett the bell was made in 1856 by a local remembers the bell in poetry: blacksmith. “In the old adobe church stands the In his autobiography, Life of the bell. From the ancient tower its notes Right Reverend Joseph P. Machebeuf, have ceased to swell O’er the houses, D.D. (1908) the first bishop of quaint and low whence it summoned Most paintings of this time and style Denver, Colorado, described the bell long ago Spanish conqueror, Indian were destroyed in the 1680 Pueblo in San Miguel mission. He said: “In slave, all to gather beneath this nave. Indian revolt. a little room at the base of the tower Pealed it many a bygone day O’er the of San Miguel is the sweetest-toned roofs of Santa Fe. And before that, bell in America, and perhaps the century long had it sent its sacred richest. It too has its history filled song O’er the hills and vales of distant, The bell with poetry and romance of the sunny Spain. Six long centuries have ages of faith. In 1356, so the legend passed since the ancient bell was cast, of St Michael runs, the Spaniards were fighting the and sounded forth its first long sweet In the back of the chapel, behind the Moors. Battle after battle was fought refrain. Strike it now and you shall last pew and under the choir loft rests and lost by the Christians, until the hear, sweet and soft, and silver clear, a huge bronze bell that hangs from people vowed a bell to St. Joseph as such a note as thrills your heart with a wooden scaffold. Visitors are en- a gauge of their confidence in his its tender, magic art. Echoing softly couraged to ring the bell with a ham- assistance. They brought their gold through the gloom of that ancient, mer. “Ring the bell of San Miguel and silver plate, their rings and their storied room. Dying softly, far away and spirits will return you to Santa bracelets, their brooches and earrings in the church at Santa Fe.” Fe,” says historian Richard Lindsley. and cast them into the melting pot And so, the little mission of San “If you ring it too much, you may end with the other metal. The bell was Miguel, a Shrine to St Michael, nes- up moving here.” The bell is in- cast, and in its tone were the richness tled in the highlands of the New scribed San Jose – ROGAD of gold and the sweetness of sacri- Mexico desert stands as a beacon to – por nosotros 9 De 1356 fice. It sounded the defeat of Islam America and to the Christian world, (“St. Joseph pray for us!” December, in Spain, and then came to ring in to return to our roots and call up- 9, 1356.) It is rumoured that the the birth of Christianity in Mexico, on the protection and patronage of 780-pound, 3-foot-high bronze bell and with the Padres it found its way St Michael, defender of all who are was created in San Jose, Spain, then up the Rio Grande to rest and ring sacrificed for the benefit of others. shipped to Mexico and finally car- out its sweet notes over the City of ried north to Santa Fe by the Ortiz Holy Faith.” Dede Laugesen, USA

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 27 ANGELIC CHOIRS The cherubim In Catholic theology, the cherubim are the second highest rank in the angelic hierarchy, below the Seraphim. (Part 2)

he cherubim are one of the Satan was a cherub ( 28:12-15). The noise made by the creatues' wings company of angels spoken of in The tabernacle and temple along with was heard even in the outer courtyard. Hebrews 12:22 which have an their articles contained many repre- It sounded like the voice of Almighty Tindefinite number. It is important to sentations of cherubim (Exodus 25:17- God". (Ezekiel 10:1-22). know the classification of angels to bet- 22; 26:1, 31; 36:8; 1 Kings 6:23-35; The cherubim became the power by ter understand the organis ation of God. 7:29-36; 8:6-7; 1 Chronicles 28:18; which the Lord God’s chariots or throne Thomas Aquinas Summa( Theologica 2 Chronicles 3:7-14; 2 Chronicles was able to fly. Ezekiel( 1:14-28). (I.108) followed the Hierarchia (6.7) in 3:10-13; 5:7-8; Hebrews 9:5). Ezekiel witnessed the departure dividing the angels into three hierar- of the Lord’s glory from the temple. chies each of which contains three or- The glory went up from the cherub, ders, based on their proximity to God, Cherubim’s wings and stood over the threshold of the corresponding to the nine orders of temple. The glory of the Lord depart- angels recognized by St. Gregory. can be heard ed from the threshold of the temple 1. Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones; and stood over the cherubim. The 2. Dominations, Virtues, and Powers; However chapters 1 and 10 of the book cherubim lifted up their wings, and 3. Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. of Ezekiel describe the Cherub (Ezekiel mounted up from the earth in the The word cherub (cherubim is the 1:5). Each are said to have four faces: sight of Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 10:2-19). Hebrew masculine plural) is a word that of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. borrowed from the Assyrian kirubu, Also, that they possess the torso and from karâbu, it means “to be near”, like hands of a man, the feet of a calf and Holiness and power a personal servant or bodyguard. It was have four wings. Two wings extended commonly used of those heavenly spir- upward and meet above the Cherub and Cherubs and Cherubim are most its, who closely surrounded the Majesty in doing so hold up the throne of God. frequently referred to in the Bible to of God and paid Him intimate service. The other two wings are extended down designate sculptured, engraved, and It came to mean as much as “Angelic and actually cover the Cherub’s body. embroidered figures used in the furni- Spirit”. Their whole body, and their backs, and ture and ornamentation of the Jewish their hands, and their wings, are full of Sanctuary. The imagery of Revelation eyes round about. (Ezekiel 10:1-22). 4:6-9 also seems to be describing cheru- Worship and praise Ezekiel's vision of God's glory de- bim. The cherubim serve the purpose scribed as the appearance of a sap- of magnifying the holiness and power The cherub have an intimate knowl- phire stone and upon the likeness of of God. This is one of their main re- edge of God and continually worship the throne was the likeness as the ap- sponsibilities throughout the Bible. In and praise Him. They are first men- pearance of a man high above it. This addition to singing God’s praises, they tioned in the Bible in Genesis 3:24, is the likeness of the glory of the Lord. also serve as a visible reminder of the “After He drove the man out, He placed "The dazzling light of the Lord's pres- majesty and glory of God and His abid- on the east side of the Garden of Eden ence rose up from the creatures and ing presence with His people. cherubim and a flaming sword flash- moved to the entrance of the Temple. In Genesis, two Cherubim were ing back and forth to guard the way to Then the cloud filled the Temple, and placed by God at the entrance of par- the tree of life.” Prior to his rebellion, the courtyard was blazing with the light. adise. Also in 1 Kings 6:23 , and 2

28 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 Brief introduction to the Nine Choirs of Angels

1. Seraphim bright and often depicted with swords, The Seraphim is said to be the highest shields or sceptres, these wonderful an- order of angels who guard God’s throne. gels will assist you in your darkest hour. They are often depicted as ‘burning -an gels’ to represent them on fire with love 6. Powers for God. In the Bible saw them Powers are warrior angels who maintain as six winged beings. These heavenly order around planet earth and protect creatures praise God. it from being overthrown by Satan, de- Chronicles 3:11, Solomon placed in the fending the cosmos and human souls. Holy of Holies two huge Cherubim of 2. Cherubim They fight against evil spirits who -at olive-wood overlaid with gold. “They The word Cherubim is said to mean tempt to wreak chaos through human stood on their feet and their faces were to- ‘fullness of knowledge’. The Cherubim beings. wards the house”, which probably means have the honour of observing and they faced the Holy Place or the Entrance. keeping the records of God’s crea- 7. Principalities Cherubim were embroidered on tive powers. Cherubims are said to The Principalities are a realm of angels the Veil of the Tabernacle, separating have four wings and four faces. The who keep a watchful eye of the nations the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Cherubims also act as heavenly coun- of planet earth and its leaders. They are “With blue and purple and scarlet and selors and are the seekers of the eternal protectors of religion, giving strength fine twined linen” they were made. How truth. in times of hardship. many such cherubim were embroidered on the Paroket, or Veil, we do not know. 3. Thrones 8. Archangels It is often supposed that as this veil Throne Angels represent the divine The Archangels are the most frequent- screened the Holy Holies, two large-sized majesty and are associated with the ly mentioned throughout the Bible. figures to represent guardian spirits or power of judgement. They carry out They are wthe leaders of the angelic keepers were depicted. Exod, xxvi, 31, God’s justice according to spiritual armies and are Holy messengers of and universal laws. The Thrones -al God. There are only three archangels so act as angels who are friends of all acknowledge by the Catholic Faith, Do not worship angels the planets. It is the Thrones who will Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. They drive forward God’s chariot, often they also command God’s armies and act We are warned in (Colossians are portrayed as angels who carry the as guardian angels to leaders of world 2:18) not to worship angels. Let no scales of justice. movements. They may be of this or man defraud your reward by delight- other hierarchies like St Michael the ing in false humility and worshiping 4. Dominions Archangel. of angels, intruding into those things The Dominions are angels of leader- which he has not seen, vainly puffed ship and are said to ensure that God’s 9. Angels up by his fleshly mind. will is carried out by other angels. They These include guardian angels who In the Book of Revelations and after help balance the force of creation of are assigned by God to every human which John saw and heard all that he the material and spiritual worlds. The being at the moment of conception. was permitted, he fell down to worship Dominions represent the superiority Angels are closest to the material world before the feet of the angel which had of wisdom over intellect and govern and human beings. They deliver our shown him all those things. The angel the natural world and the elements. prayers to God and return with God’s told him NOT to bow down because answers. Guardian angels have the he was a fellow servant, and a brother 5. Virtues capacity to access all other angels at of the prophets, instead he should wor- Virtues are known as angels who watch any time, their role is to watch over ship the Lord God. (Revelation 22:8-9). over the heavenly bodies and nature. us during our lives. They are also the The Virtues are often associated with most caring and social of beings who Noreen Bavister, England miracles performed on earth. Shining assist those who ask for help.

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 29 Angelic breath of life BIBLE PHONE NUMBERS USE IN CASE HANDY REFERENCE LIST OF EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS: When in sorrow ...... call John 14 OF EMERGENCY! When men fail you ...... call Psalm 27 When you have sinned ...... call Psalm 51 e all experience difficult When you worry ...... call Matthew 6:19-34 moments in our lives, but When you are in danger ...... call Psalm 91 do not worry. God has pro- When God seems far away ...... call Psalm 139 Wvided us with His Word which al- When your faith needs stirring ...... call Hebrews 11 ways brings consolation and peace. When you are lonely and fearful ...... call Psalm 23 Angels in Heaven just wait to answer When you grow bitter and critical ...... call I Corinthians 13 our calls so do not hesitate when in When you feel down and out ...... call Romans 8:31 suffering. When you want peace and rest ...... call Matthew 11:25-30 When the world seems bigger than God ...... call Psalm 90 When you want Christian assurance ...... call Romans 8:1-30 When you leave home for labor or travel ...... call Psalm 121 When your prayers grow narrow or selfish ...... call Psalm 67 When you want courage for a task ...... call Joshua 31 When you think of investments and returns ...... call Mark 10 If you are depressed ...... call Psalm 27 If your pocketbook is empty ...... call Psalm 37 If you are losing confidence in people ...... call I Corinthians 13 If people seem unkind ...... call John 15 If discouraged about your work ...... call Psalm 126 If self pride/greatness takes hold ...... call Psalm 19 If you want to be fruitful ...... call John 15 For understanding of Christianity ...... call II Corinthians 5:15-19 For a great invention/opportunity ...... call Isaiah 55 For how to get along with fellow men ...... call Romans 12 For Paul’s secret to happiness ...... call Colossians 3:12-17 PLEASE NOTE: ALTERNATE NUMBERS:

Emergency numbers may be dialed For dealing with fear ...... call Psalm 34:7 direct. No operator assistance is nec- For security ...... call Psalm 121:3 essary. All lines to Heaven are open For assurance ...... call Mark 8:35 24 hours a day! Feed your FAITH, For reassurance ...... call Psalm 145:18 and DOUBT will starve to death! Please use and feel free to pass on! Unknown contributor

30 | The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 Distribution coordinators & Retreats Day of Prayer to Africa ul. Pilsudskiego 248/252 Alfons Van Craeynest 05-261 Marki, Warsaw, Poland the Divine Mercy Divine Mercy Catholic Bookstore Email: [email protected] PO Box 721 Invoking the intercession Goodwood Philippines of Our Lady of Walsingham Cape Town 7459 Davina M Padill (LADMA) South Africa Lipa Archdiocesan Divine Mercy Saturday Email: [email protected] Pastoral Center Phone: +27–845–236– 078 Gen Luna St. corner P. Laygo St. 24th September 2011 Sabang, Lipa City 9.30am to 4.30pm Australia 4217 Philippines Sonia Starc Phone: + 63–939–913–1359 Westminster Cathedral 20 Field St, Craigieburn Landline: + 63–43–756–5583 London, England Victoria 3064 Australia Scotland Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham Email: [email protected] Holy Angels & Divine Mercy Phone: +61–413–314–718 Email: Led by Mgr. Keith Barltrop [email protected] & Fr Andrew Gowkielewicz MIC Colombia Phone: +44 (0) 7944 581 656 Gabriella Casas Carreara 53B No 121-80 United Kingdom / Worldwide Bogotá Holy Angels & Divine Mercy Retreats lead by Colombia P.O. Box 4332 Harlington South America Dunstable Beds Father Peter Email: [email protected] LU6 9DG UK Prusakiewicz (CSMA) Phone Noreen: Eire and Northern Ireland +44 (0)779–531–8605 Holy Angels & Divine Mercy Phone Alison: Great Britain Oak Lodge +44 (0)780–137–2166 4 – 6 November 2011 Divine Mercy Retreat Thomastown, Duleek. Email: [email protected] Craig Lodge Family House Co.Meath. Eire of Prayer Dalmally, Email: [email protected] USA and Canada Argyll, Scotland Phone: +353-87-252-2862 – office hours Dede Laugesen Phone: +44 (0)1838 200216 P.O. Box 543 Email: [email protected] Fr Piotr Prusakiewicz Chief editor Monument, CO 80132 USA 10 November 2011 Divine Mercy Retreat The Angel Magazine Head Office Phone: +1–800–511–1514 St James' Church in St Andrews, Fife. The Congregation Email: [email protected] Scotland. KY16 9AR of Saint Michael the Archangel www.holyangelsmagazine.com Phone: Fr Andrew Kingham +44 (0) 1334 472856 Email: [email protected] 11 – 13 November 2011 Retreat on the Holy Angels Special offer The Holy Angels Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer Dalmally, and Divine Mercy Argyll, Scotland Double CD Phone: +44 (0)1838 200216 by Fr Piotr Prusakiewicz (CSMA) Email: [email protected] 17 – 19 February 2012 Deeper into the Divine Mercy To order Phone: with the angels and saints 0044 (0)7795 318605 Pantasaph Friary, Holywell, North Wales Phone: +44 (0)132 700153 Email: [email protected] www.pantasaph.org.uk Fr Prusakiewicz c/o Canada PO Box 4332, Harlington, 09 – 11 September 2011 Dunstble, Beds LU6 9DG UK Divine Mercy Retreat in London, Ontario One Double CD £9 10 $20 Phone: 519-471-3180 € Email: [email protected] Two Double CD £17 €18 $40 USA & Canada Phone: 2751 Sunningdale Road West, London, Three Double CD £25 €28 $54 +1–800–511–1514 Ontario, Canada, N6H 5L2 21 – 24 September 2011 10 Sets or more 40% discount Email: [email protected] Parish Mission at St Michael’s Church, Plus postage – see form inside www.holyangelsmagazine.com London, Ontario

The Angels | Vol 2 | issue 3 | 2011 | 31 PRAYERS Chaplet of St Michael

L. In the name of the Father, and of of wickedness to run in the paths the Son and of the Holy Spirit. of Christian perfection. Amen. A. Amen (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary)

Say the following prayer on the medal: 3. By the intercession of St Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones, O God, come to my assistance. may the Lord infuse into our O Lord, make haste to help me. hearts a true and sincere spirit of Glory be to the Father, etc. humility. Amen. (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) 1. By the intercession of St Michael and the celestial Choir of 4. By the intercession of St Michael Seraphim, may the Lord make and the celestial Choir of us worthy to burn with the fire Dominions, may the Lord give of perfect charity. Amen. us grace to govern our senses (1 Our Father on the first large and subdue our unruly passions. bead, 3 Hail Mary on the next Amen. 9. By the intercession of St Michael three small beads) (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) and the celestial Choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be pro- 2. By the intercession of St Michael 5. By the intercession of St Michael tected by them in this mortal life and the celestial Choir of and the celestial Choir of Powers, and conducted hereafter to eter- Cherubim, may the Lord vouchsafe may the Lord vouchsafe to protect nal glory. Amen. to grant us grace to leave the ways our souls against the snares and (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) temptations of the devil. Amen. (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) Recite on the next four beads: July 29, 2011 th 125 Anniversary 6. By the intercession of St Michael 1 Our Father and the celestial Choir of Virtues, in honour of St Michael Prayer may the Lord deliver us from evil 1 Our Father and suffer us not to fall into temp- in honour of St Gabriel of Pope Leo XIII tation. Amen. 1 Our Father (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) in honour of St Raphael Saint Michael the Archangel, 1 Our Father defend us in battle, 7. By the intercession of St Michael in honour of our Guardian Angel be our protection and the Celestial Choir of against the wickedness Principalities, may God fill our O glorious prince, St Michael, chief and snares of the devil. souls with a true spirit of obedi- and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher May God rebuke him, ence. Amen. (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) of rebel spirits, servant in the house we humbly pray and do thou, of the Divine King, and our admi- O Prince of the Heavenly Host, 8. By the intercession of St Michael rable conductor, who shines with by the Divine Power of God, and the celestial Choir of excellence and superhuman virtue, cast into hell Satan Archangels, may the Lord give vouchsafe to deliver us from evil, who and all the evil spirits us perseverance in faith and in all turn to you with confidence, and en- who wander throughout good works, in order that we gain able us by your gracious protection to the world seeking the glory of Paradise. Amen. serve God more and more faithfully the ruin of souls. (1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary) every day. Amen. Amen.