There are certain holy angels of God whom Paul terms ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. In the writings also of St. Paul himself we find him designating them, from some unknown source, as thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers; and after this enumeration, as if knowing that there were still other rational offices and orders besides those which he had named, he says of the Saviour: Who is above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. From which he shows that there were certain beings besides those which he had mentioned, which may be named indeed in this world, but were not now enumerated by him, and perhaps were not known by any other individual; and that there were others which may not be named in this world, but will be named in the world to come. (Book I, Chapter 5, Part 1)

I have known mostly St. Michael and St. Raphael, archangels.

The first I have known on his mount rising from the sea just off Normandy and in a modest chapel in Santa Fe. The second I know mostly through the book of Tobit.

Michael, Michel, Miguel is strikingly handsome, strong, and sensual. His name aptly means "Who Is Like God". But he has added a question mark, implying that no one is like God.

Raphael - or "God Heals" - travels among us unrecognized, helping in modest, yet essential tasks. Where Michael intervenes directly despite my doubt or delay, Raphael patiently enables my intervention.

Each are aspects of my understanding of God.