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CREATION OF ANGELS

Discover the creation of angels, their origin according to Scripture and tradition, their spiritual nature, purpose, and role in God’s divine plan.
Image of Nine choirs of Angels


By Edward Matulanya 

According to Catholic teaching, the creation of the angels is drawn from both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and is explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and writings of the Church Fathers.

Here’s a clear summary of what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about creation of angels.

1. God Alone Is Creator

Angels are pure spirits; They are created beings, not eternal or divine.

The Church professes; “I believe in one God, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.”

“Invisible” includes the angelic world (CCC 328–330).

2. When They Were Created

Before humanity and the material universe was complete, God created the angels.

The Sacred Scripture is not explicit about the exact “moment,” but tradition holds that their creation occurred at the beginning of time before the creation of the visible world (cf. Lateran Council IV, 1215).

St. Augustine writes that angels were created “in the beginning” when God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), interpreting the “light” also as the spiritual creation of angels.

3. Nature of Angels

Purely spiritual; They have no bodies, no physical form, and are immortal (Luke 20:36).

Intellect and Will; Each angel is a unique, complete person (not merely an impersonal force).

They surpass all visible creatures in perfection.

4. Hierarchy of Angels



Catholic tradition (especially from St. Dionysius and St. Thomas Aquinas) describes nine choirs, grouped in three hierarchies.

1. Highest; Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones

2. Middle; Dominions, Virtues, Powers

3. Lowest; Principalities, Archangels, Angels

These choirs reflect different missions and degrees of closeness to God.

5. The Great Trial and the Fall

After their creation, God gave the angels a test of obedience and love.

Lucifer (“light-bearer”) and other angels rebelled, refusing to serve God (cf. Revelation 12:7-9).

Those who rejected God became demons. Their choice was irrevocable because angels, as pure spirits, make decisions with full knowledge and will.

The faithful angels, led by St. Michael, remained in beatitude and “see the face of the Father” (Matthew 18:10).

6. Mission of the Good Angels

The angels who remained faithful share forever in God’s glory.

They are messengers (the word angelos means “messenger”) and protectors of humanity.

Scripture highlights roles such as:

Gabriel announcing the Incarnation (Luke 1:26-38)

Guardian angels guiding individuals (Matthew 18:10; Psalm 91:11).

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that God, out of pure love, created a vast, invisible world of spiritual beings at the dawn of creation. They were tested, some freely chose rebellion and became demons, while the faithful angels eternally adore God and serve as His messengers and our protectors.

References

Aquinas, T. (1274/1947). Summa Theologica (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Trans.). Benziger Brothers.

Augustine of Hippo. (c. 400/1991). The City of God (H. Bettenson, Trans.). Penguin Classics.

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (2nd ed.). (1997).Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Hardon, J. A. (2013). The Catholic catechism: A contemporary exposition of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Ignatius Press.

Kreeft, P. (1995). Angels (and demons): What do we really know about them? Ignatius Press.

The Fourth Lateran Council. (1215). Constitution on the Catholic Faith (Firmiter credimus). In Norman P. Tanner (Ed.), Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils (Vol. 1, pp. 230–233). London: Sheed & Ward, & Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

The Holy Bible, New American Bible Revised Edition. (2011). Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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