CHOIR
CAMP 2010 |
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What is an angel? |
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Ranks of angels
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What saints say about angels: “Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’; from what they are, ‘spirit,’ from what they do, ‘angel.’” --St. Augustine “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life.” --St. Basil  “Even
though we are children and have a long, a very long and dangerous way to go,
with such protectors what have we to fear? They who keep us in all our
ways cannot be overpowered or led astray, much less lead us astray. They
are loyal, prudent, powerful. Why then are we afraid? We have only
to follow them, stay close to them, and we shall dwell under the protection of
God’s heaven.” --St. Bernard |
Read scripture stories about angels! Jacob’s
dream about angels (Genesis 28:10-20)Jacob wrestles with an angel – and wins! (Genesis 32:23-32) Tobiah is helped by the angel Raphael to heal his father’s blindness and find a good wife (Tobit 5:4) Mary receives a message from an angel (Luke 1:26) Angels speak to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1) Choirs of angels announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8) Jesus is comforted by angels (Luke 22) An angel announces the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-8) An angel rescues Peter from prison (Acts 12:1-11) Angels pray with us when we pray (Hebrews 12:22-28) An angel shows Saint John a vision of the heavenly city (Revelation 21:9-27) |
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Angel Prayers Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Lord, give thine angels every day Command to guard us on our way, And bid them every evening keep Their watch around us while we sleep. (J. M. Neale) |
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Songs about Angels – Songs from Scripture Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord!  Praise and exalt him above all for ever. (Daniel 3:58) Bless the Lord, all you angels, mighty in strength and attentive, obedient to every command. Bless the Lord, all you hosts, ministers who do God’s will. bless the Lord, all creatures, everywhere in God’s domain. Bless the Lord, my soul! (Psalm 103:20-22) Praise the Lord from the heavens; give praise in the heights. Praise him, all you angels; give praise, all you hosts. Let them all praise the Lord’s name. (Psalm 148) |
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More Songs about Angels
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Angels
are servants and messengers of God. In the Bible, angels do important
tasks – like guard the entrance to the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) and lead
God’s chosen people in the wilderness (Exodus 23:20). They also carry
important messages. The archangel Gabriel brought God’s message to Mary,
that she would be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26). Choirs of angels
announced to the shepherds that Jesus was born (Luke 2:8). An angel warned
Joseph to flee into Egypt because Herod was plotting to kill the newborn Christ
(Matthew 1:13). Angels also are there to comfort and to protect us.
God sent an angel to be with Jesus when he was in agony in the garden of
Gethsemane on the night before his crucifixion (Luke 22:43). Angels are
constantly with us on earth, and every time we celebrate Mass we join in prayer
“with the angels and saints and the whole company of heaven.”
Traditionally,
there are nine ranks or “choirs” of angels. Many of these are
mentioned in the Bible; other details come to us from other traditional
sources.