Catholic Saints Podcast

Episode: The Choirs of Angels, Archangels, & Guardian Angels
Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Taylor Kemp (B)
Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Klein (C) – Professor of Theology, expert on angels

Episode Overview

This episode explores the rich Catholic tradition concerning angels—their roles, ranks (the “choirs of angels”), scriptural background, and their relationship to humans as exemplified through archangels and guardian angels. Dr. Elizabeth Klein offers deep theological and historical insights, blending scripture, Church tradition, and medieval speculation on angels with practical advice on devotion.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Angels Matter in Catholic Tradition

• Angels are a pervasive theme in scripture and tradition, often more so than people recognize.
• Dr. Klein points out that in the Old Testament, many divine encounters are mediated by angels (e.g., the burning bush in Exodus).
• Quote — Dr. Klein (01:50):
  “Angels are actually all over the place in scripture. After you watch this episode... you’ll probably notice the angels a lot more than you might think.”

2. A Brief Tour of Angelology in Scripture and Tradition

• According to St. Augustine, angels manage much of the Old Testament’s divine activity.
• Angels are terrifying to humans, often manifesting God’s glory intensely.
• Quote — Dr. Klein (02:39):
  “People are generally terrified when they see angels. And so this makes one think that they manifest the glory and otherness of God in a very tangible way.”

3. The Nine Choirs of Angels and Speculative Theology

(06:16–11:11)

• Theologians like Pseudo-Dionysius, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Thomas Aquinas reflected deeply on angelic order.

• The Nine Choirs, grouped in three orders:

  1. First: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones
  2. Second: Dominions, Virtues, Powers
  3. Third: Principalities, Archangels, Angels

• Their rankings are mainly speculative, not binding Catholic doctrine (“de fide”).

• Ordering is based on modes of knowledge—those closest to God perceive reality more generally and simply.

• Quote — Dr. Klein (05:12):
  “When it comes to the choirs of angels, would you call that speculative theology? Yes, firmly in the realm of speculative theology….”

How Angels Know (07:17–08:28)

• Angels differ by intellect, not body; higher angels possess more universal knowledge, while lower ones deal with particulars.
• Memorable analogy — Dr. Klein (09:31):
  “It’s kind of like how my daughter calls all women mothers. …We only know the angels by the ones that talk to us. So we call them all angels.”

4. What are Archangels? (11:45–14:07)

• "Archangel" means “chief angel”; archangels are at the top among the messengers.
• Only three are named in canonical scripture:
  • Michael (Jude 9), Gabriel (Luke 1), and Raphael (Tobit).
• Tradition holds there are seven, though only three are named in the Bible—the rest are found in apocrypha and venerated differently in Eastern and Western Christianity.
• Quote — Dr. Klein (13:14):
  “In Western Christianity, veneration of the other archangels that are not named in canonical scripture was suppressed in the 9th century.”

5. Guardian Angels: Scriptural and Theological Foundations (15:09–17:38)

• Belief in personal guardian angels has biblical roots:
  1. Matthew 18:10 – Jesus references “their angels” for each person.
  2. Acts 12 – Early Christians believe Peter has a specific angel.
• Guardian angels act as personal shepherds, a manifestation of God’s individualized care.
• They guide souls after death, protect from evil, and may accompany us even in communal worship.
• Quote — Dr. Klein (16:39):
  “Every single person has a kind of, like, individual shepherd or pastor for their soul.”

6. The Role and Activities of Guardian Angels (17:38–19:48)

• Protection and guidance are sometimes mysterious, but real and significant.
• Angels are depicted as escorting souls to paradise (cf. the Requiem Mass: “May the angels lead you into paradise”).
• They assist during spiritual warfare and are ever-present, outnumbering the evil spirits that assail us (cf. Thomas Aquinas on 1 Peter 5:8).
• Quote — Dr. Klein (18:42):
  “The demons are ever assailing us… much more, therefore, do the good angels ever guard us.”

7. Communal and National Angels (19:04–19:20)

• Church Fathers saw not just individuals, but parishes and nations as having their own angels (citing Revelation).
• Quote — Dr. Klein (19:22):
  “There’s an angel appointed to guard them.”

8. Devotion and Relationship with Guardian Angels (20:30–24:54)

• The Vatican’s Directory on Popular Piety instructs not to name your guardian angel; names both denote intimacy and imply control, which isn’t fitting for spiritual beings who serve only God.
• The three scripturally-named angels’ names all reference God, not themselves: Michael (“Who is like God?”), Gabriel (“God is my strength”), Raphael (“God heals”).

How to Grow in Devotion:

1. Gratitude: Reflect on God’s solicitude in assigning angels to watch over us.
2. Reverence: Recognize the ‘twofold congregation’ at the liturgy—humans and angels both worshipping.
   • Participation in the Mass’s “Sanctus” (Holy, Holy, Holy) is a moment joining heavenly worship.
3. Serenity from Protection: Trust and peacefulness knowing a particular angel is assigned to you.

• Memorable moment — Dr. Klein (24:21):
  “Let us who mystically represent the cherubim, now set aside all earthly cares. …I’m not on earth. I’m in heaven.”

The Guardian Angel Prayer (25:08)

• The classic children’s prayer is recommended as a simple daily devotion:
  “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide.”

Notable Quotes & Insights

• On angelic choirs (06:12):
  “The names are all in scripture…but how they’re ordered or related to one another is fairly speculative.” — Dr. Klein

• On the humble dignity of guardian angels (19:48):
  “The fact that God puts creatures of such dignity at our service, and that they do it gladly because they do the will of God always, is a kind of beautiful thought.”

• On naming guardian angels (21:01):
  “There’s a document from the Congregation of Divine Worship… It says specifically not to name your guardian angel.”

• On the angels’ names pointing to God (22:17):
  “So all the angels…their names all specifically point to God and to worship of God…So the name Michael means Who is like God?…Gabriel means God is my strength, and Raphael means God heals.”

• On practical devotion (24:46):
  “Cultivation of gratitude. Increased piety and reverence…serenity in their protection.”

Key Timestamps

• 01:50: Angels throughout Scripture; their role in the burning bush
• 03:18: Introduction to the choirs of angels
• 05:12: Speculative theology and the medieval tradition
• 06:16–11:11: The nine choirs of angels explained
• 11:45: What is an archangel? Names and scriptural sources
• 15:09: Scriptural foundation for guardian angels
• 17:38: Guardian angels escorting souls to paradise; spiritual warfare
• 19:04: Angels of parishes and nations
• 20:30: Vatican’s instructions against naming guardian angels
• 24:54–25:08: Guardian angel prayer and personal experiences

Memorable Moments

• Dr. Klein’s analogy: All spiritual messengers are called “angels” just as small children might call all women “mommies”—it’s the one aspect humans encounter most directly.
• On Mass: Each person comes with their guardian angel, forming a “twofold church” at every liturgy.
• Personal anecdote: Dr. Klein wrote letters to her “angle” as a child (25:10).

Practical Takeaways

• Catholics are encouraged to cultivate gratitude, reverence (especially at Mass), and peaceful trust in God’s protection through guardian angels.
• Avoid spiritual curiosity leading to naming or attempting to control one’s guardian angel.
• The scriptural and spiritual tradition upholds both the mystery and intimacy of angelic guardianship.

Recommended Resources

• Further reading: St. Thomas Aquinas on angels (“the Angelic Doctor”, Summa Theologiae).
• Dr. Elizabeth Klein’s book: “Angels and Saints” (Ave Maria Press).

Closing Thoughts

Dr. Klein shares her delight in discussing the saints and angels, underscoring how these topics invite awe, deeper faith, and a greater sense of being accompanied by the Church’s mystical, unseen members.

“I love talking about the saints and angels, so thanks for letting me do so.” — Dr. Klein (25:55)