Introdução

The Treatise on Angels, written by Saint Thomas Aquinas between 1265 and 1268, is a fundamental work in Catholic theology, particularly in the field of angelology. Composed in Rome and Paris, this treatise represents the most complete and systematic synthesis of the doctrine of angels in the philosophical and theological tradition. Its influence extends to the documents of the Roman Catechism, the Second Vatican Council, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Autor e Estrutura

• Autor: São Tomás de Aquino (1225-1274), também conhecido como “Doutor Angélico”, foi um frade dominicano e teólogo renomado.
• Obra: Summa Theologiae, Parte I, Questões 50 a 64.
• Composição: Escrito entre os anos de 1265 e 1268.
• Título: Doutor Angélico (proclamado por Pio V em 1567).
• Status Magisterial: Doutor Comum da Igreja (designação dada por Leão XIII em 1879).

Estrutura do Tratado:

I. A Substância dos Anjos (Questões 50-53)

• Q. 50: Qual é a natureza espiritual dos anjos?
• Q. 51: Os anjos podem assumir corpos visíveis?
• Q. 52: Como os anjos estão relacionados ao espaço?
• Q. 53: Como os anjos se “movem”?

II. O Conhecimento dos Anjos (Questões 54-58)

• Q. 54: Qual é o conhecimento geral dos anjos?
• Q. 55: Como os anjos conhecem uns aos outros? Por espécies impressas ou adquiridas?
• Q. 56: O que envolve o conhecimento imaterial entre os anjos?
• Q. 57: Os anjos sabem das coisas materiais?
• Q. 58: Qual é a natureza do conhecimento angelico? É intuitivo ou discursivo?

III. A Vontade dos Anjos (Questões 59-60)

• Q. 59: Como funciona a vontade dos anjos?
• Q. 60: Qual é o amor ou dilecção angélica?

IV. Criação e Estado Inicial dos Anjos (Questões 61-64)

• Q. 61: Como foram criados as substâncias espirituais angelicas?
• Q. 62: Qual é a perfeição dos anjos bem-aventurados no estado de glória?
• Q. 63: Os anjos podem cair na maldade? Se sim, como?
• Q. 64: Qual é o destino dos demônios?

Teses Centrais de Tomás de Aquino sobre os Anjos:

1. Angels as Purely Spiritual Substances: Thomas argues that angels are purely spiritual or intellectual substances, without any matter. Each angel is a species in itself, distinct and individual. (ST I, q. 50, a. 1)

2. According to Thomas, there are multiple angels, each belonging to a distinct species, and not merely individuals of a general species. (“Angels are multiple in number according to the diversity of species.”)

Thesis and Angelology

This thesis is typically Thomistic: each angel is a unique species, Saint Michael belongs to a different species than Saint Gabriel. This daring proposition was questioned by some Scotists but became orthodox in subsequent scholasticism.

3. Intuitive Knowledge of Angels

“Angeli omnia intuent in essentia divina” (ST I, q. 56, a. 3).

“Angels know all things in the divine essence.”

Angels do not reason discursively like humans; they have intuitive knowledge, perceiving the essences of things within God. Thus, they perfectly know one another.

4. The Fall of Angels through Pride

“Peccatum primum angeli fuit superbia… appetiit aliquid divinum esse, quod sibi non debebatur” (ST I, q. 63, a. 2).

“The first sin of the angels was pride… they desired something divine that was not due to them.”

Thomas provides detailed analysis of the fall of angels. Lucifer sought a “similitude with God” unmerited in his created nature. This pride was not an intellectual error but an irrevocable voluntary choice.

5. Irreversibility of Angelic Choice

“Voluntas angeli, ex sua natura, immobiliter inhaeret ei quod elegit” (ST I, q. 64, a. 2).

“The will of the angel, by its nature, immovably adheres to what it chose.”

Angels cannot change their choice as humans can. Therefore, the fall of demons is definitive and irreversible; they will forever remain in the state they chose.

The Nine Choirs of Angels

Thomas adopts the hierarchy of nine choirs from Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagita (5th century) and systematizes it:

Magisterial Influence

Influence of Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica on Catholic Theology and Philosophy

Direct Influences:

• Tridentine Council (1545-1563): Thomas Aquinas was placed alongside Sacred Scripture at the altar during the Council.
• Roman Catechism (1566): This catechism concisely summarizes Thomistic doctrines.
• Encyclical Aeterni Patris (Leo XIII, 1879): Proclaims Thomas as a Common Doctor of the Church.
• Codex Iuris Canonici (1917 canon 1366, 1983 canon 252): Requires theology to be taught “according to the method, doctrine, and principles of the Angelic Doctor.”
• Vatican II: Optatam Totius n. 16 and Gravissimum Educationis n. 10 reaffirm Thomas as a master of Catholic theology.
• John Paul II, Fides et Ratio (1998): “Saint Thomas always had the merit of putting faith and reason in their proper relationship.”

Philosophical Implications Beyond Theology:

• Metaphysics: Degrees of being, from material creatures to pure spirits.
• Epistemology: Types of knowledge, sensory, rational, intuitive.
• Anthropology: The human as an “intermediate” being between angels and animals.
• Philosophy of Mind: Intelligence as a spiritual capacity.
• Cosmology: The invisible world as a real dimension of the universe.

Recommended Reading:

• IV Council of Lateran 1215 | Florence, Cantate Domino 1442 | Roman Catechism 1566 | Catholic Catechism on Angels and Demons 328-336, 391-395

Graduate Studies in Mariology:

Want to deepen your formation in Mariology? Discover the Graduate Program in Mariology by Locus Mariologicus – an academic formation that combines theological rigor, spiritual life, and the living tradition of the Church.

For more information or to enroll, visit Course Link.

See also: What is Angelology? Angels in Scripture and the Magisterium. Explore our comprehensive guide to Catholic Angelology.