A short enough book, World Invisible, The Catholic Doctrine of the Angels by Fr John Saward provides a timely synthesis of the perennial faith of Holy Church regarding God’s incorporeal creatures.
The reader is led along a triple thread combining the theology of St Thomas Aquinas, Dante’s poetry, and paintings by Sandro Botticelli. Twentieth century Thomistic theologians are often referred to, such as Fr Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP, and Abbot Anscar Vonier OSB. The book uses precise words and concepts that will benefit averagely educated readers without discouraging beginners, however. Abundant footnotes provide useful information for more advanced readers.
We learn about the creation of the angels and their subsequent acceptance or refusal of God’s love. From their response followed the holy angels’ elevation in God’s grace forever secured, and the casting of the fallen angels into hell and upon the material world. The angelic nature is described with clarity, including its intuitive mode of intellection that excludes mistakes and repentance. The holy angels find fulfilment in the praise and service of God, as illustrated by the traditional liturgy of Holy Church aptly quoted by the author.
On the contrary, the fallen angels stubbornly deny God’s sovereignty, which they attempt to undermine indirectly through tempting human beings. Thankfully, the reader is assured that demons cannot harm us humans beyond what God’s providence may allow, whereas holy angels actively foster our salvation. Finally, their Queen is also our heavenly Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, true Mother of God.
This enlightening book will help many become more familiar with the angels, for safer protection against demons and for more fruitful collaboration with our God-appointed heavenly guardians.
Available now from Angelico Press and Amazon.