A Catechism of Christian Doctrine. Anonymous

and governs the world and all

       it contains His providence.

      Q. 213. {33} How did God create heaven and earth? A. God created heaven and earth from nothing by His word only; that is, by a single act of His all-powerful will.

      Q. 214. {34} Which are the chief creatures of God?

       A. The chief creatures of God are angels and men.

      Q. 215. How may God's creatures on earth be divided? A. God's creatures on earth may be divided into four classes: (1) Things that exist, as air; (2) Things that exist, grow and live, as plants and trees; (3) Things that exist, grow, live and feel, as animals; (4) Things that exist, grow, live, feel and understand, as man.

      Q. 216. {35} What are angels?

       A. Angels are pure spirits without a body, created to adore and enjoy

       God in heaven.

      Q. 217. If Angels have no bodies, how could they appear? A. Angels could appear by taking bodies to render themselves visible for a time; just as the Holy Ghost took the form of a dove and the devil took the form of a serpent.

      Q. 218. Name some persons to whom Angels appeared.

       A. Angels appeared to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph; also to

       Abraham, Lot, Jacob, Tobias and others.

      Q. 219. {36} Were the angels created for any other purpose? A. The angels were also created to assist before the throne of God and to minister unto Him; they have often been sent as messengers from God to man; and are also appointed our guardians.

      Q. 220. Are all the Angels equal in dignity? A. All the Angels are not equal in dignity. There are nine choirs or classes mentioned in the Holy Scripture. The highest are called Seraphim and the lowest simply Angels. The Archangels are one class higher than ordinary Angels.

      Q. 221. Mention some Archangels and tell what they did.

       A. The Archangel Michael drove Satan out of heaven; the Archangel

       Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin that she was to become the

       Mother of God. The Archangel Raphael guided and protected Tobias.

      Q. 222. Were Angels ever sent to punish men? A. Angels were sometimes sent to punish men. An Angel killed 185,000 men in the army of a wicked king who had blasphemed God; an Angel also slew the first-born in the families of the Egyptians who had persecuted God's people.

      Q. 223. What do our guardian Angels do for us? A. Our guardian Angels pray for us, protect and guide us, and offer our prayers, good works and desires to God.

      Q. 224. How do we know that Angels offer our prayers and good works to

       God?

       A. We know that Angels offer our prayers and good works to God because

       it is so stated in Holy Scripture, and Holy Scripture is the Word of

       God.

      Q. 225. Why did God appoint guardian Angels if He watches over us Himself? A. God appointed guardian Angels to secure for us their help and prayers, and also to show His great love for us in giving us these special servants and faithful friends.