Questions on 9 Choirs of Angels and the Holy Hours

Hi Fr. Abe. Had encountered an unusual question on devotional. Though I said that the basis of our belief is tripod- bible, magisterium and sacred tradition. The inquirer wants to be clarified re: the abovementioned subject and with the following text that she gave me.

The practice of the nine holy hours(offices) is an alliance of the hearts of angels and men and of Jesus and Mary. In this form of worship, nine people or nine groups of devotees make an alliance with the nine Choirs of Angels, each of the persons or groups of persons taking upon himself any one of these particular offices.

She was asking who are the nine Choirs of Angels and the relevance of doing this. Ang nagtatanong po ay isang bagong katekista.

Thanks po Fr.

God bless.

bro john

Dear Bro. John,

Here is the list of the 9 CHOIRS OF ANGELS from Catholic Online:

Seraphim

These are the highest order or choir of angels. They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts". the only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.

Cherubim

Cherubim rank after the seraphim and are the second highest in the nine hierarchies or choirs of angels. The Old Testament does not reveal any evidence that the Jews considered them as intercessors or helpers of God. They were closely linked in God's glory. They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and were guardians of God's glory. They symbolized then, God's power and mobility. In the New Testament, they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (Rv 4-6). Catholic tradition describes them as angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise Him.

Thrones

Thrones are the Angels of pure Humility, Peace and Submisssion. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower Choir of Angels need the Thrones to access God.

Dominions

Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God.

Virtues

Virtues are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements. They are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." They govern all nature. They have control over seasons, stars, moon; even the sun is subject to their command. They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor.

Powers

Powers are Warrior Angels against evil defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. They fight against evil spirits who attempt to wreak chaos through human beings. The chief is said to be either Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness.

Archangels

Archangels are generally taken to mean "chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1 Thes 4:16), they are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique role as God's messenger to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rv 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse. A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is celebrated throughout the Church Sep 29. A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the "Cherubic Hymn" which celebrates these archangels and the guardian angels particularly. Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. The Eastern Rite and many others place him over all the angels, as Prince of the Seraphim. He is described as the "chief of princes" and as the leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over Satan and his followers. The angel Gabriel first appeared in the Old Testament in the prophesies of Daniel, he announced the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dn 9:21-27). He appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist (Lk 1:11). It was also Gabriel which proclaimed the Annunciation of Mary to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour. (Lk 1:26) The angel Raphael first appeared in the book of Tobit (Tobias)Tb 3:25, 5:5-28, 6-12). He announces "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God." (Tb 12:15)

Principalities

In the New Testament Principalities refers to one type of spiritual (metaphysical) being which are now quite hostile to God and human beings. (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15) Along with the principalities are the powers (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 1 Pt 3:22; 2 Thes 1:7); and cosmological powers (1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; Col 2:15);Dominions (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16) and thrones (Col1:16). The clarity of the New Testament witness helps see that these beings were created through Christ and for Him (Col 1:16). Given their hostility to God and humans due to sin, Christ's ultimate rule over them (ibid) expresses the reign of the Lord over all in the cosmos. This is the Lordship of Christ, which reveals God's tremendous salvation in conquering sin and death at the cross, and now takes place in the Church. (Eph 3:10)

Angels

These angels are closest to the material world and human begins. They deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any time. They are the most caring and socius to assist those who ask for help.

NOW, CONCERNING 9 HOLY HOURS:

The practice of 9 Holy Hours originally not based on the relationship of Men and the Angels. The Origin of the practice of the 9 Holy Hours started with the apostolic practice of praying constantly and unceasingly by following the important hours related to our Lord Jesus and the History of Salvation. This was later followed and popularized by the monks and consecrated religious, nuns and priests of the Church throughout the centuries:

6:00am Usually waking time. The Christians were reciting the Lauds or the Morning Prayer to praise God the Creator of the Universe. The rising sun is the reminder of God's declaration: LET THERE BE LIGHT. The most famous Canticle for this hour is the Canticle of Zechariah [Luke 1:68-79]. But the lay people since they don't have Bibles and Psaltery Books in old days, prefer to recite the ANGELIC SALUTATION or Angelus at this time to remember the First Announcement of Salvation to Mary.

9:00am The monks and religious once again ring the bell to go to chapels or churches because THIS IS THE TIME THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON THE APOSTLES [Acts 2:15]. In our Christian Prayers usually said by Priests, Nuns, Monks and Seminarians this is called MidMorning Prayer and also the time for Office of the Readings.

12:00nn This is very important for us Catholics because this is the start of the supreme agony of Jesus on the Cross [Mt 27:47]. Jesus started his gradual death that reached its climax at 3:00pm the actual time of His death. St. Peter hallowed this hour by going on the rooftop to pray at this hour [Acts 10:9]. The Catholics until now honor this hour by stopping all activities for few minutes and reciting the Angelus which is the summary of the History of Salvation.

3:00pm THE EXACT TIME OF DEATH OF THE LORD... THE HOUR OF DIVINE MERCY [Mt 27:47]. The Apostles and early Christians honored this time: Sts. Peter and John prayed at the Temple at the 9th hour which is 3:00pm in our counting if the count follows the 6:00am start and it falls at 9:00am if the counts follows the midnight start. In each case 9:00am and 3:00pm are both sacred for us Catholics.

6:00pm The time of the Agony of Jesus in the Garden and His arrest. We also consecrate to God our life as the day draws to a close. We consecrate the Sunrise and the Sunset to God. The Monks, Priests and Religious pray the Vespers or Evening Prayer with the singing of the Magnificat of Mary. But the poor people simply recites the Angelus.

9:00pm The Night Prayer. Before sleeping the Monks, Priests and Nuns sings the Nunc Dimittis or the Canticle of Simeon: "Lord let your servant go to sleep Your Word has been fulfilled..." [Lk 2:29-32]. A very beautiful prayer of entrustment to the Lord for the end of the day and after the tired day of service for His glory.

12:00mn This is the Biblical Hour of the BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH. The book of Wisdom testifies to it:

Wisdom 18:14-16

14For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, 15your all-powerful Word leapt from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior 16carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command, and stood and filled all things with death, and touched heaven while standing on the earth.

Look clearly Bro. John: The Almighty Logos came on earth when the Night is far spent and half gone. IT MEANS MIDNIGHT. That is the reason why Midnight is the Birth Hour of the Lord Jesus for us Catholics. That is the reason why our MEDIA NOCHE AND NOCHE BUENA IS DONE ON THIS HOUR and THIS IS ALSO THE MIDNIGHT MASS FOR THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD.

This is not only for Christmas. Our monks are literally waking to pray during 12:00 midnight. Those who are awake must also recite the Angelus.

3:00dawn The Monks are once again praying to ask the Lord to grant a Blessed Day to the World... to grant New Life, Conversion to Sinners, Salvation and Forgiveness to those in Purgatory. Because this is the time when the Lord Jesus went to preach to the spirits imprisoned in Purgatory [1 Peter 4:6]. And, around this time... very early on the First Day THE LORD HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!

You see, Bro. John... The origin of the 9 hourse [from 6am to 6am again] is the Cycle of Salvation based on the Bible and our Faith. The interval of 3 by 3 hours is also Biblical based on the sequences of holy events in History.

The number of the Holy Angels is only secondary to the meaning of the 9 Holy Hours.

God bless you Bro. John. I hope this will help.

In Christ,

Fr. Abe, CRS