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110. The Action of Angels on Bodies

1. Superior rules inferior; hence angels rule the bodilyworld. St. Gregory says that in this visible world nothing occurswithout the agency of invisible creatures.

2. Angels, however, have not power to produce or transformbodies at will. God alone gives first existence to things; afterfirst creation, bodies come from bodies. But angels can stir bodilyagencies to produce change in bodies.

3. Angels can directly control the local movement ofbodies, for this is an accidental change in bodies, not asubstantial production of bodies nor a substantial change.

4. Angels cannot, of themselves, work miracles. Amiracle, by definition, is a work proper to God alone. Of course,angels can serve, even as holy men may serve, as ministers orinstruments in the performing of miracles. Angels, good or bad, cando wonderful things, but only such as lie within the power ofangelic nature, and a miracle surpasses the powers of all creatednatures.

"He who wishes to be perfectly obeyed, should give but few orders."
St Philip Neri

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"A single act of uniformity with the divine will suffices to make a saint."
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"Let persons in the world sanctify themselves in their own houses, for neither the court, professions, or labour, are any hindrance to the service of God."
St Philip Neri

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