For Parents To Teach To Their Children
Our Art Gallery
Watercolor Angels, Messengers of God
Our Methods and Materials
All three of these paintings are watercolors, painted with a brush, on watercolor paper. I used a bit of kids’ gold metallic acrylic, and a white ink pen for dots, as well. Teach your children that watercolor painting is easy and fun to work with. When I don’t like something on the wet painting, I paint over it or blot it off with a paper towel. Layer the colors of paint as you go and “build up” the painting. Teach your children to enjoy the painting experience without judgement of the final result. I love painting, and I hope that you and your children will too!
Learning About Angels–“…heaven” refers to the saints and the “place” of the spiritual creatures, the angels, who surround God.186
Source: Catechism of the Catholic::
Here is an excerpt from the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” which defines angels and their roles:
“I. THE ANGELS
The existence of angels – a truth of faith
328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.
329 St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit’, from what they do, ‘angel.'”188 With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word”.189
330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.190
331 Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: “When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. . “191 They belong to him because they were created through and for him: “for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through him and for him.”192 They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?”193
332 Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham’s hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples.194 Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.195
333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God “brings the firstborn into the world, he says: ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.'”196 Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise: “Glory to God in the highest!”197 They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been.198 Again, it is the angels who “evangelize” by proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrection.199 They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.200
The angels in the life of the Church
334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.201
335 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy’s In Paradisum deducant te angeli. . .[“May the angels lead you into Paradise. . .”]). Moreover, in the “Cherubic Hymn” of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).
336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202 “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”203 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.”
Our Prayers
Prayer to All Angels
“All you holy angels and archangels,
thrones and dominations,
principalities and powers,
the virtues of Heaven,
cherubim and seraphim,
praise the Lord forever.”
Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
“St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.”
Guardian Angel Prayer
“ANGEL OF GOD,
My Guardian dear,
To whom His love
Entrusts me here,
Ever this day,
Be at my side,
To light and guard,
To rule and guide. Amen.”
Source: The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism Page 4
Connie’s Watercolor “Guardian Angel” Inspired by “Das Geschenk Des Engels” by Cornelia Lauwaert
This lovely book is about the traditional Christmas hymn, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
The angel, Gabriel, has come earlier to give momentous news to Mary and then the angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream. Angels attend the birth of Christ in the Nativity. We have both choirs of angels, and hosts of angels attending to the Holy Family. An angel warns Joseph that he must take Mary and Baby Jesus and flee from Herod’s reach. In our homes, when Christmas comes, we decorate Christmas trees. Many of us have an “angel” at the top of our trees. My corn leaf angel is now 33 years old, built by my (then) five- year-old, and is looking a bit worn. Still, the angel goes on the top of the tree! We know that angels are “pure spirits created by God.”
Other Angel Art Projects
Nine Choirs of Angels
This is in order, from greatest to least:
*Seraphim
*Cherubim
*Thrones
*Dominions
*Virtues
*Powers
*Principalities
*Archangels
*Angels
Source for List: Faith & Life Parish Catechist Manual * Page 19
The Names of Angels
One day I wondered: “If angels don’t have gender, why do they all have male names.” This is what I learned:
Angels’ names translated to English (and assumably other modern languages) are common names. However, in the language of the people of the Bible, the names of angels are more like titles. For example, Emmanuel (God is with us), Rafael (Healed of God), Michael (Who is like God?), Gabriel (Man of God) all end in the letters, “el.” This is a reference to God.
We learn about angels from scripture, which we “accept and venerate.” As a teacher, I want to share the wonder of “The Mystery of Faith.” It is beautiful to see children, who have a great capacity to develop their spiritual lives, process concepts that are new and abstract–such as angels. I love the beautiful paintings of angels with glorious wings, feathers and all. The images help us to feel awe for the spiritual messengers of God–who is also a pure spirit. Let us keep learning together.
Pope Francis lovingly answers a young boy’s question about angel wings:
Question: “Dear Pope Francis, My mum is in Heaven. Will she grow angel wings?” From Luca.
Answer: “Dear Luca, No, no, no! Your mom is in heaven–beautiful, splendid and full of light. She hasn’t grown wings. She is still your mom, the person you know, but she is more radiant than ever.”
From Dear Pope Francis The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World (pages 40-41)
Be Inspired Through Glorious Music
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
Panis Angelicus Means “Angelic Bread”
Our Art Project–Angel Art for Young Children
Here are some ideas for painting angels. Young children will enjoy painting their angels. These paintings are watercolors, but you can use whatever art supplies you have already on hand. Watercolors are cheap and easy to find. Watercolor paper is the best for painting with watercolors because it is strong and absorbs water. Clean up is easy. Have fun!
Samples:
