Looking for the best Catholic books about angels?
You’re in the right place! Here are 7 of the best books to learn more about angels:
The 7 Best Catholic Books on Angels
1. The Angels: In Catholic Teaching and Tradition by Fr. Pascale Parente
In this concise (only 157 pages) yet comprehensive overview, Father Pascal Parente compiles the breadth of Catholic teaching and tradition on the holy angels. Drawing heavily from Tradition and the Doctors and Fathers of the Church, Parente explains the angels’ creation, intelligence, free will, language, powers, movements, number and particular duties.
He even delves into the history of devotion to angels, and discloses the little-known fact that there are guardian angels, not only of individuals, but of churches, dioceses, and nations!
2. Angels: Our Guardians in Spiritual Battle by Msgr. J Brian Bransfield
In 240 pages, Msgr. Brian Bransfield teaches us in his new book how to recognize the angels present in our lives. Drawing on Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he shows how the angels — both those who serve God and those who fell with Lucifer — influence us in powerful ways.
For anyone desiring a deeper understanding of the angels’ impact in our spiritual lives, this book offers both biblically-grounded and knowledge rooted in Tradition.
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3. Angels and Demons: What Do We Really Know about Them? by Dr. Peter Kreeft
In a question-and-answer format, Dr. Peter Kreeft answers 100 commonly asked questions about the angels. Some of these questions include ”What are angels made of”, ”How do angels communicate with God”, ”How do angels communicate with us”, ”Do demons, or devils, or evil spirits really exist?” and many more.
In response to these and other questions, Dr. Peter Kreeft draws on the Bible, traditional Church teaching, and St. Thomas Aquinas, to give straight, clear answers to any curious reader.
4. All About the Angels by Father Paul O’Sullivan O.P.
This is a charming book that shows how the Angels have assisted people innumerable times in the past and how they continue to help us today – and how they would do ever more than they do, if we would only ask them. Catholic Tradition teaches that God has given each of us a special Guardian Angel from the moment of our birth.
In this book, Fr. O’Sullivan explains that our Angels have a great love for us that God has given them – a faithful and generous love that never fails us. Contains many beautiful stories about St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel; plus, angel stories from St. Gemma Galgani, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Bosco, etc.
5. Meditations on the Holy Angels by St. Aloysius Gonzaga
The longest and most significant work of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (104 pages) and the only book on this list written by a canonized saint, Meditations on the Holy Angels will inspire those who read it to fall more deeply in love with God and His holy angels.
Not only will you learn about our angelic companions’ excellence, nobility, and glorious order, but you will also contemplate the powerful roles of Saints Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael through the eyes of one of the Church’s greatest Jesuit saints. Also included in this book are two versions of the Life of St. Aloysius and his Six Sunday Devotions. This book would be best read in prayer!
6. St. Michael and the Angels: A Month With St. Michael and the Holy Angels compiled by Tan Books
Including 30 reflections on the angels, this is a great book intended to help you deepen your devotion to the angels in September, the month of the angels. It includes many stories from the Saints, details about the angels’ nature and role, the need for our devotion to them, and information about their relationship to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
7. Holy Angels Prayer Book by Sr. Mary Mark Wickenhiser FSP
A beautiful prayer book to honor the angels written and compiled by Sr. Mary Mark Wickenhiser. The perfect prayer book to deepen your devotion to the Holy Angels and call upon the angels to provide help against the spirits of evil active in our world. Not only is this book rich in the prayers it provides, but it is also beautifully designed. A must-have on your Catholic devotional book shelf.
Why Read Catholic Books on Angels
So why is it so important to learn about the angels?
Well, as Catholics, we believe that angels serve critical roles as messengers, guardians, and agents of God’s will. For example, the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that angels are spiritual beings who “glorify God without ceasing and who serve His saving plans for other creatures” (CCC 350).
And though the word angel (angelos in Greek) means “messenger”, angels are much more than just messengers (like Gabriel in the Annunciation)!
Though spiritual and non-corporeal, angels are real beings who participate actively in salvation history. They serve as examples of holiness, help govern creation, protect and intercede for people, and will assist at the final resurrection (CCC 350-352)! Therefore, belief in and remembrance of the reality of angels is non-negotiable for Catholics.
Popular Prayers to the Angels
Below are some prayers to help you deepen your devotion to the angels!
Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
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.
St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle,
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
By the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
Who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court,
you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace.
You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air,
consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.
I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life,
as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels.
Because you are the “medicine of God,”
I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul
and the ills that afflict my body. Amen.
Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel
Blessed Saint Gabriel, Archangel,
We beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy:
As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary,
so through your prayers may we receive strength of faith and courage of spirit,
and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord.
May we sing the praise of God our Savior with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. Amen.
Do you have a special devotion to any of the angels?
Let me know below in the comment box!
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Thank you for these great recommendations and the prayers. I am going to start praying the St. Raphael prayer for my healing. I have a special devotion to St. Michael, he is my Confirmation Saint. I admire his strength and dedication to fighting evil.