Contemplating God directly
First Hierarchy
These choirs gaze upon God and adore Him. They do not minister directly to humans but illuminate the lower choirs with the light they receive from the Divine presence.
Choirs: Seraphim · Cherubim · Thrones
Cœlestes Spiritus
Angels
Angels are pure spirits created by God to serve Him and care for His creation. The Church teaches that each person has a guardian angel. Sacred Scripture names only a few angels; most remain hidden. The nine choirs, drawn from Scripture and the tradition summarized by St. Thomas Aquinas and the Liturgy, describe how the heavenly host is ordered toward God and toward us.
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Three Hierarchies
The nine choirs are grouped into three hierarchies, each with a distinct orientation toward God and creation.
Governing the universe
Second Hierarchy
These spirits receive God's plans and help execute them in the cosmos, ordering the movements of creation and the work of lower angels.
Choirs: Dominions · Virtues · Powers
Serving humanity and the Church
Third Hierarchy
These angels are closest to us. They guide peoples and nations, deliver God's great messages, and guard and assist individual souls.
Choirs: Principalities · Archangels · Angels
Nine Choirs
Each choir has a name, meaning, and office in God's plan.
- 1.
Seraphim
(Burning ones)Highest choir. They burn with charity and cry “Holy, holy, holy” before the throne of God (Isaiah 6). Their fire is love that consumes all earthly attachment.
Scripture: Isaiah 6:2–3
- 2.
Cherubim
(Fullness of knowledge)Contemplate the divine wisdom and glory. Represented in Scripture guarding Eden and above the Ark of the Covenant, symbols of God's presence and hidden mysteries.
Scripture: Genesis 3:24 · Exodus 25:18–22
- 3.
Thrones
(Seats of God)Reflect divine judgment and justice. They are called thrones because God is said to judge from them, stable, luminous bearers of God's decrees.
Scripture: Colossians 1:16
- 4.
Dominions
(Lordships)Regulate the duties of lower angels. They receive commands from God and ensure the heavenly order is carried out without disorder.
Scripture: Colossians 1:16 · Ephesians 1:21
- 5.
Virtues
(Strengths)Bestow grace for miracles and heroic virtue. They strengthen the saints and enable signs that manifest God's power in the world.
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:22
- 6.
Powers
(Authorities)Defend against demonic spirits and maintain the cosmic order. They hold back spiritual powers of evil and protect the providential plan of God.
Scripture: Romans 8:38 · Ephesians 6:12
- 7.
Principalities
(Princes)Guide nations, cities, and peoples, including the Church as a body. They watch over collective human communities and their spiritual destiny.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:21 · Daniel 10 (angelic princes of nations)
- 8.
Archangels
(Chief messengers)Proclaim messages of supreme importance. Three are venerated by name in the Catholic Church: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 · Jude 1:9
- 9.
Angels
(Messengers)The multitude who minister to those who inherit salvation. Guardian angels belong to this choir, assigned to each soul to protect, prompt to good, and present our prayers before God.
Scripture: Hebrews 1:14 · Matthew 18:10 · Psalm 91:11
Angels Named in Scripture
Only three angels are venerated by name in the universal Roman liturgy: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Other names appear in apocryphal books or private revelation and are not required belief. The vast majority of angels are unnamed, and countless guardian angels serve the faithful in silence.
Three archangels of the Roman liturgy
- Saint Michael the ArchangelSeptember 29 (with Gabriel and Raphael)
Who is like God?
Protector of the Church and defender against evil
Michael leads the heavenly host against the dragon in Revelation. He contended with Satan over Moses’ body (Jude) and is the prince who defends God’s people (Daniel).
Read more → - Saint Gabriel the ArchangelSeptember 29 (with Michael and Raphael)
Strength of God / God is my strength
Messenger of the Incarnation
Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the conception of Christ to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. He explained Daniel’s visions.
Read more → - Saint Raphael the ArchangelSeptember 29 (with Michael and Raphael)
God heals
Healer and guide
In the book of Tobit, Raphael travels in disguise as the guide Azarias, heals Tobit’s blindness, and binds the demon Asmodeus. He reveals his name meaning “God heals.”
Read more →
Other names in Scripture or tradition
- UrielNot on the universal Roman calendar
Fire of God / God is my light
Angel of wisdom and repentance (tradition)
Uriel appears in 2 Esdras (4 Esdras in the Vulgate appendix), interpreting visions and teaching about judgment. Some Eastern and medieval Western traditions honor him; the Roman Rite focuses on Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Read more → - RaguelNot on the Roman calendar
Friend of God
Angel of justice (Book of Enoch)
Raguel appears in the Book of Enoch as an archangel who punishes the wicked. The Church does not include Enoch in the canon; Raguel is not part of official Catholic angelology for worship.
Read more → - RemielNot on the Roman calendar
Thunder of God / Mercy of God
Angel of hope and resurrection (Enoch tradition)
Remiel (or Jeremiel) is named in 1 Enoch as guiding souls. Not part of the Catholic canonical naming of angels.
Read more → - SaraqaelNot on the Roman calendar
Command of God
Over spirits who sin (Enoch tradition)
Listed among the archangels in 1 Enoch. Outside the Catholic canon and liturgical veneration.
Read more → Light-bearer, name before the fall
Tempter and accuser (fallen angel)
Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 use language applied by tradition to the king of Babylon and the fall of a proud heavenly being. Jesus said He saw Satan fall like lightning. Revelation names the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil.
Read more →- Guardian AngelsOctober 2
Personal protectors assigned by God
Guide and guard each person
Jesus warned not to despise little ones because their angels behold the face of the Father. Psalm 91 promises angels guard us in all our ways.
Read more →