Holy and fallen Angels in the Diary

The angels are divided into two groups, one group supporting us and the other group in open rebellion against Christ’s followers.

The fallen angels are already in hell, but they want us to share their destiny. That is why we are often tempted. But when we pray to the Divine Mercy we want hell to be empty. We ask God that no one will cross the threshold of this land of eternal death, eternal unhappiness.

It is very likely that after death many people go to heaven via purgatory. There is a story in the Diary of St Faustina when her guardian angel took her to purgatory.

Diary, 20: “I saw my guardian angel who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a mystical place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently but to no avail for themselves, only we can come to their aid. The flames which were burning them did not touch me at all. My guardian angel did not leave me for an instant. I asked these souls what there greatest suffering was, they answered me in one voice that the greatest torment was a longing for God. I saw Our Lady visit the souls in purgatory, the souls call her the Star of the Sea, she brings them refreshment. I wanted to talk with them more but my guardian angel beckoned me to leave. We went out of the prison of suffering. I heard an interior voice which said, ‘My mercy does not want this but justice demands.’ Since that moment I am in closer communion with the suffering souls.”

Through St Faustina’s guardian angel we are asked by Jesus to pray more for the holy souls and to pray for those who have passed away. Praying for the dying and deceased is an important part of the devotion to the Divine Mercy. When we recite the chaplet we pray not only for those alive but also the holy souls in purgatory.

Each time when we receive a plenary indulgence we help the holy souls in purgatory, this can be offered for ourselves or the holy souls in purgatory. It is better to offer it for one person for whom we care about. If this person is in heaven the plenary indulgence will go to the Treasury of the Church and will be distributed to other holy souls.

If you look in the gospel you will not find a place where Jesus showed his mercy to Satan. We find in the Diary that God is so merciful to human beings, but there is no mercy for the fallen angels. We do not know the reason why, it is a mystery. St Faustina was aware of this tremendous mystery, that God is so merciful to us, but not with the fallen angels.

Diary, 1332: She wrote: “The second day as I was meditating on the sins of the angels and their immediate punishment. I asked Jesus why the angels had been punished as soon as they had sinned I heard a voice, ‘Because of their profound knowledge of God. No person on earth, even though they be a great saint has such knowledge of God as an angel has.’ Nevertheless to me, who am so miserable, You have shown Your mercy, Oh God at this time and time again you carry me in the bosom of Your mercy.”

Diary, 1339: “O merciful God, You do not despise us, but lavish Your graces on us continuously. You make us fit to enter your kingdom, and in your goodness You grant that human beings may fill the places vacated by the ungrateful angel. O God of great mercy who turned Your sacred gaze away from the rebellious angels and turned upon contrite man, praise and glory be to Your unfathomable mercy. Oh God who does not despise the lowly heart.” The fallen angels did not repent and did not receive extra time from God to do so. They were very close to God but committed sin even though they had all the graces and awareness to prevent this happening. This is why they are in hell and want us to share their destiny.

Diary, 1489: St Faustina said to Jesus, “You did not give the fallen angels time to repent or prolong their a time of mercy. Oh my Lord, You have given me saintly priests to show me the sure way.” We are asked by Jesus to be in touch with the good angels. They help us with our spiritual battles. St Faustina wrote, Diary, 606: “I start the day with a battle and finish the day with a battle.” That is why we need special protectors and supporters, they are the good angels.

St Faustina’s guardian angel defended her when she was praying and attacked by the fallen angel. Diary, 412: “I fell asleep as soon as I lay down, it was about eleven o’clock Satan shook my bed. I awoke instantly, and I started to pray the rosary peacefully to my guardian angel. I then saw the souls who were doing penance in purgatory. They appeared like shadows, and among them I saw many demons. One of these tried to vex me; taking the form of a cat, he kept throwing himself onto my bed and on my feet and he was quite heavy. I kept praying the rosary all the while and towards dawn these beings vanished, and I was able to get some sleep. When I entered the chapel in the morning I heard a voice in my soul, ‘You are united to Me, fear nothing. But know, my child, that Satan hates you; he hates every soul, but he burns with a particular hatred for you because you have snatched so many souls from his dominion.’"

This passage reminds us that we should defend ourselves and be aware that temptations are part of our daily life. We are tempted if we do God’s work, Satan hates us. However we should not be worried if we are in the hands of God. He is our defender. We have St Michael and should not be afraid. God is always at our side.

If it is said Satan is an opposite of God, it is not true. The fallen angel is not God’s opposite, like it maybe said in the New Age movement, God is the creator and Satan is a fallen angel. The angels are creatures; omnipotent God has no opposite. Satan and all other demons like all angels are powerful and their intellect far surpasses our own. We need to fear Satan, but if we are in the state of grace we need not to be afraid because God is at our side.

We know from the Catechism of the Catholic Church when God permits the activity of Satan it is a great mystery and we cannot prevent God from fulfilling His will for man. St Paul in the letter to the Romans said, "In everything God works for good with those who love Him. We are in the hands of God." Through temptation our will can be strengthened to follow Jesus more faithfully and we can grow in holiness. Do not be surprised when you have temptation.

When we are on a retreat or pilgrimage we may feel we are in heaven. But when we go back home to our families or work and to our normal daily life, things may become difficult and we may at times face many problems. Do not be afraid. We are in God’s hands.

St Faustina wrote, Diary, 1565 “When I entered the chapel for a moment, the Lord said to me, ‘My daughter, help me to save a certain dying sinner. Say the chaplet that I taught you for him.’ When I began to say the chaplet, I saw the man dying in the midst of terrible torment and struggle. His guardian angel was defending him, but he was powerless against the enormity of the soul’s misery. A multitude of devils was waiting for the soul. But while I was saying the chaplet, I saw Jesus as he depicted in the image. The rays which issued from Jesus’ heart enveloped the sick man, and the powers of darkness fled in panic. The sick man peacefully breathed his last. When I came to myself, I understood how very important the chaplet was for the dying. It appeases the anger of God.” The moment when someone is dying there is a struggle, a big spiritual fight. The guardian angel is there to help and support a person to have a contrite heart and to turn to God’s mercy. The power of the chaplet is so strong that it is able to defeat people who are dying.

Usually when I think of my time when I was the chaplain to the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw, I found it very striking that their daily chaplet always had the same intention - for the conversions of sinners and for the dying. I understood what it was to have a devotion of the Divine Mercy. The purpose of this devotion is not just for our comfort, but for the salvation of souls; bringing all people to heaven and leaving hell empty.

Diary, 1220: "On the sixth day of the Novena Jesus asks us to bring to him in prayer little children and those with humble hearts, 'Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthen Me during My bitter passion. I saw them as early angels who keep vigil at My altar. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favour humble souls with My confidence.'"

We know from previous apparitions of angels who often looked like little children. If we are humble and meek we also can imitate the angels and be like little children in front of God.

Diary 1240: “The Lord Jesus greatly protects His representatives on earth. How closely He has visited with them and He orders me to give priority to their opinion over His. I have come to know the great intimacy which exists between Jesus and the priest. "Oh Jesus, through a special grace, I have come to know very clearly to what extent You have shared Your power and mystery with them, more than with the angels. I rejoice in this for it is all for my good."

So much depends on the prayer of priests, it is our main duty to pray and intercede for people. St Francis of Assisi said every priest and religious sister was tempted twice more than ordinary people. Satan hates priests because of the power of the sacrament which is distributed through the hands of a priest. St Faustina had visions of priests who were tempted. She was asked by Jesus to pray for them, and because of her prayer these people did not give into temptation. St Faustina’s prayers were answered, pray for priests.

On a solemn feast day of the holy person or an archangel they are present with us in a special way. We receive many graces on their feast day. We believe more graces will be given to us for example at the beatification of John Paul II on 1st May 2011.

St Faustina saw St Michael on two occasions, once on 29th September on the Feast of St Michael, and another time. Saints or angels are present in a special way on their feast days to people who come to honour them. For example, Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and God is present in a special way.

Diary, 667: “I have great reverence for St Michael the Archangel, he had no example to follow doing the will of God, and yet he fulfilled God’s will faithfully.” St Michael the Archangel was obedient and is an example for us to follow, it is not enough to say, ‘Lord, Lord. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ We have to put into practice the Lord’s prayer. The holy angels and the Divine Mercy teach us to follow holy people like St Faustina and St Padre Pio. Even our friends can inspire us and we can be influenced by them. The devotion to the Divine Mercy and the holy angels teaches us to find holy people and to follow Jesus. People can see that we can be real witnesses helping them on their way to heaven.

Fr Peter Prusakiewicz CSMA, Poland