From the Breviary according to the use of the Roman Curia, 1529, the continuation of the sermon for the sixth day in the Octave of All Saints.
Brethren, let us call the orders of blessed spirits to the joy of our solemnity, that they may deign to admit us to their glory as fellow-citizens and companions, in accordance with the order of their ranks and of our merits. For those who announce whatever good tidings they can to their brethren, urging them for the love of heaven to do good and turn from evil, shall be taken up to the order of angels. Those who preach the mysteries of the Lord’s Incarnation, and the supreme joys of the heavenly life, these indeed are Archangels, through whom that the greatest matters are fittingly announced. Those who do wonders and work mighty signs may be likened to the company of the heavenly Virtues. Those who drive wicked spirits away from the possessed, and cast them out by the might of their speech and the force of the power they have received, obtain the lot of the Powers.
The Virgin and Child with the Heavenly Couert of the Angels. Fresco in the dome of the parekklesion (mortuary chapel) of the church of the Holy Savior in Chora, in Constantinople. (Image from Wikipedia, by Takeaway - Click to enlarge.) |