When people hear about saints and angels, it’s easy to think of them as belonging to the same heavenly family—and in a sense, they are. Both live in the presence of God and serve His will perfectly. Yet they are different kinds of beings, created for different purposes within God’s great design of love.
Saints are human beings who once lived on earth as we do. They experienced weakness, temptation, and suffering, but through faith and grace, they allowed God to transform them into living images of Christ. When we call someone a “saint,” we mean that they persevered in holiness until the end and now share eternal life with God in heaven. The Church canonizes some of them—like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Thérèse of Lisieux—as examples for us to follow, but all who live with God are saints in the truest sense.
Angels, however, are pure spiritual beings—they were never human. God created them before the world began, as messengers and servants of His divine will. Scripture tells us they are mighty in power, yet utterly humble before God. Some protect nations and people; others praise God without ceasing. The Bible speaks of guardian angels who watch over us, revealing God’s tender care for every soul. Unlike saints, angels do not grow in holiness, for they made their choice for or against God at the dawn of creation.
In a beautiful way, saints and angels form one communion of love—they are part of what we call the “Communion of Saints.” Angels help us by guiding and protecting us; saints help us by their example and intercession. Together, they remind us that heaven is not distant but deeply connected to our earthly journey. When we pray, we are never alone: the saints and angels stand beside us, uniting our voices with their praise before God’s throne.
So while angels are heavenly spirits and saints are redeemed humans, both reflect the same truth—that every creature finds its joy in glorifying God and loving us into holiness.
May we walk with the saints in faith and listen to the gentle guidance of our angels, until we, too, join their eternal song of praise.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
