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111. The Actions of Angels on Men

1. Since angels are superior to man, they can enlightenman. They can strengthen the understanding of human beings and makemen aware, in some sensible manner, of the truths to be imparted.Thus angels can act upon the human intellect.

2. But angels cannot act directly upon the human will; Godalone can do this.

3. Nevertheless, angels, good or bad, can exercise anindirect influence on human wills by stirring up images inthe human imagination. And angels, good or bad, can, by theirnatural power, arouse sentient appetites and passions in the sameway, that is, by producing images in the human imagination.

4. Equally, an angel can work upon the human senses,either outwardly, as, for example, by assuming some visible form,or inwardly, by disturbing the sense-functions themselves, as, forexample, making a man see what is not really there.

"Before a man chooses his confessor, he ought to think well about it, and pray about it also; but when he has once chosen, he ought not to change, except for most urgent reasons, but put the utmost confidence in his director."
St Philip Neri

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"There is nothing which gives greater security to our actions, or more effectually cuts the snares the devil lays for us, than to follow another person’s will, rather than our own, in doing good."
St Philip Neri

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"Try to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God. "
Thomas á Kempis

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