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109. Orders Among the Fallen Angels

1. The angels that rebelled and became demons did not losetheir nature or their connatural gifts. They cast away, by theirsin, the grace in which they were created. They did not cast awaythe beatific vision, for they never had it. Now, if we think ofangelic orders as orders of angels in glory, then, of course, thereare no orders of bad angels. But if we consider angelic orders asorders of angelic nature simply, there are orders among thedemons.

2. Certainly, there is a precedence among bad angels;there is a subjection of some to others.

3. Demons of superior nature do not enlighten inferiordemons; enlightenment here could only mean the manifestation oftruth with reference to God, and the fallen angels have perverselyand permanently turned away from God. But demons can speak to oneanother, that is, they can make known their thoughts to oneanother, for this ability belongs to the angelic nature which thedemons retain.

4. The nearer creatures are to God the greater is theirrule over other creatures. Therefore, the good angels rule andcontrol the demons.

"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers"
St Augustine

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"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides. "
Thomas á Kempis

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