I'm not sure what it says about me that I got excited about angels when I learned there was a hierarchy of angels and that in addition to the ones people usually think about - Seraphim, Cherubim, Archangels and Angels - there are also Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers and Principalities. I like that it is rich and complicated and documented.

The one thing I want to find out more about is why Uriel (sometimes listed as the fourth Archangel) is not one Catholics seem to recognize. I'm not saying we should, just that I'd like to find out why we don't.
Tim | Homepage | 09.29.06 - 11:32 am | #

I believe it is because Gabriel, Rafael, and Michael are the only angels named in the Bible. Here's what I found at the Catholic Encyclopedia:

"Of these seven "archangels" which appear in the angelology of post-Exilic Judaism, only three, Gabriel, Michael and Raphael, are mentioned in the canonical Scriptures. The others, according to the Book of Enoch (cf. xxi) are Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and Jerahmeel, while from other apocryphal sources we get the variant names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel instead of the last three in the other list."
Julie D. | Homepage | 09.29.06 - 11:39 am | #

I have a special fondness for angels and it is a sign of my Catholic geekiness, I suppose, that I got an excited "Christmas morning" sort of thrill when I realized today's feast.

I'm a Catholic geek too, coz I had the same reaction!
Louise | Homepage | 09.30.06 - 7:30 am | #

Julie, where did you get these great paintings of the Archangels? I LOVE them! I don't think I've seen anything so gorgeous. I think I may have to snitch them from you!
Georgette | Homepage | 09.30.06 - 2:20 pm | #

I stole them from Mama T (check out the link in the post) so puhleez go ahead and steal them in turn! :-D
Julie D. | Homepage | 09.30.06 - 4:04 pm | #

i love reading about the workings of these celestial beings. however, dear freind, you forgot to mention quite possibly the most important of the Archangels: Lucifer
addison O'Donnell | 10.06.06 - 1:08 am | #

Because we're not celebrating him, you goofus! :-D
Julie D. | Homepage | 10.06.06 - 9:25 am | #