[Question:]{.underline} Why do we call angels “saints”?
[Answer:]{.underline} The term “saint” has three meanings. It is used in Sacred Scripture for the elect, chosen ones, sanctified here on this earth by sanctifying grace, and “called to be saints” (Rm 1:7 & 8:28), of whom St. Paul considers himself the least (Eph 3:8). It is used secondly to indicate all the citizens of heaven, all the members of the Church triumphant, who regardless of their previous life are not only now sanctified, but confirmed in sanctity so that they can never lose it. It is used thirdly to indicate those saints whom the Church has canonized, declaring infallibly that they are in heaven, on account of their heroic virtue and extraordinary deeds of Faith and Charity.
All the good angels fall into the second category and are, by their fidelity to the grace they received at the moment of their creation, members of the Church triumphant, offering in heaven the incense of their unceasing praise and adoration. Although no angel has been canonized by decree of the Church, nevertheless, the Church has always in her Tradition practiced special veneration for those angels who have played a special role in the Redemption of mankind, and she consequently calls them saints in the third sense also. St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Host, heroic leader of the good angels against Lucifer with his cry of perfect submission “Who is like God?” is the greatest of them all and is consequently honored as the Protector of the Universal Church. St. Gabriel is honored next because of his mission to announce the mystery of the Incarnation, the great and holy mystery upon which the Redemption of mankind depended. St. Raphael is likewise honored, on account of the role of protection described so well in the book of Tobias.
Answered by Father Peter Scott, SSPX.