The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

One of the remarkable things that I picked up in reading Charles Cardinal Journet (I was too stupid to notice this on my own) is that, at each of the Incarnational mysteries – Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and even the Temptation in the Wilderness, where Jesus’ humanity is tested – angels are present. There’s a constant presence of angels participating in God’s plan for Jesus. We’re specifically told of their presence.

We, angels and humans, belong to one and the same Church and communion: the Church in pilgrimage (and persecuted) here below, and the Church of heaven. Absolutely wonderful!