Guardian Angel

Feast of the Guardian Angels

The Feast of the Guardian Angels, celebrated each year on October 2nd, is a time for the faithful to reflect on the role of these heavenly beings who protect and guide us.

The truth that each and every human soul has a Guardian Angel who protects us from both spiritual and physical evil has been shown in Scripture, reinforced by multiple saints and codified in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Role of Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels are said to have a three-fold office: to praise God, to act as His messengers, and to watch over all mortal humans, without any distinction between faithful and non-believers, baptized and not, or just and sinners.  

Guardian Angels act as intermediaries between Heaven and Earth, leading human souls toward holiness. These noble Guardians do not sleep, nor can they be deceived. Guardian angels help ward off dangers; uphold the individual in the struggle against demons; awaken holy thoughts; prevent sinning, and even, at times, chastise him; pray for him, and present his prayers to God. 

So diligent is this mission, that the Guardian Angel follows the ward from the first day to the last day of mortal existence, receiving the soul as it quits this life, and bearing it from the feet of the sovereign Judge to the place it has merited in Heaven, or to its temporary sojourn in the place of expiation and purification. 

What Scripture teaches about Guardian Angels

The most striking example is during the Passion of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane: [Jesus] said, ‘Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:42-43).

Furthermore, Jesus made the existence and function of guardian angels explicit when he said,  "See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10).

And Israel [previously Jacob] … blessed [his sons] saying, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, and the angel who has delivered me from all evil, bless these sons; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac …” (Genesis 48:15-16).

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. (Exodus 23:20-23).

"For he will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone". (Psalm 91:11-12)

St. Paul asks rhetorically, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?"  (Hebrews 1:14).

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read how an angel delivered St Peter from the prison where Herod took extreme provisions to make it humanly impossible to escape: "Now about that time Herod the King stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. (Acts 12:1-10)

What the Fathers of the Church say about Guardian Angels

• St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–1274) wrote that angels cannot act directly upon our will or intellect, although they can do so on our senses and imaginations – thus encouraging us to make the right decisions. I
• St Basil of Caesarea in Cappadocia (c. 329-379 AD) says, “An angel is put in charge of every believer, provided we do not drive him out by sin. He stands as protector and shepherd guarding our soul like an army, leading him for life.”
• Eusebius of Caesarea in Cappadocia (c. 314-339 AD) says, “Fearing, lest sinful mankind should be without government or guidance, like herds of cattle, God gave us protectors and superintendents, the holy angels in the form of captains and shepherds. His First-Born Son is set above all these.”
• Hilary of Poitiers (Doctor of the Church) says, “In the warfare we carry on, to remain strong against the evil powers, the angels are our helpers.”
• Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 328-373 AD) says, “In opposition to the turmoil into which demons throw the soul, the vision of the angels works softly and peaceably, awakening joy and exultation.”
• The collection of early Christian writings called Shepherd of Hermas says, “We are not at first chastised by the Father of the family Himself, but by the angels whom he has sent as masters over us, with the office of chastising and correcting each one of us.”
• St Origen Adamantius of Alexandria (c. 185-253 AD) says, “We must say that every human soul is under the direction of an angel who is like a father. If there are good thoughts in our hearts, let there be no doubt that the angel of the Lord is speaking to us. But if evil things come into our heart, let there be no doubt that an angel of the evil one is speaking to us.”
• St. John Chrysostom (c. 349-407 AD, Doctor of the Church) says that among the faithful, those who have higher offices in the Church are the object of special protection: “The virtues of heaven are always with those who are charged with such offices.”
• St. John Vianney (c. 1786-1859)  “How happy is that guardian angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass!”

What the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches about Guardian Angels

1. “The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls ‘angels’ is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.” (CCC 328)
2. From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on Earth, the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God (CCC 336).
3. Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve his saving plans for other creatures: "The angels work together for the benefit of us all" (CCC 350).
4. “The Church venerates the angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being.” (CCC 352)

Can you pray to someone else's guardian angel?

Of course, you can pray to your Guardian Angel, in addition, you may pray to anyone else’s angel. Often, people will ask for the intercession of their children’s guardian angels. In Journal of a Soul, Pope St. John XXIII (reign c. 1958-1963) tells how he often sent his angel ahead to speak to the person’s guardian angel when he had a meeting. This was particularly the case if he expected the meeting to be important or difficult. Many other saints have also done this, or, as St. Josemaría Escrivá (c. 1902-1975) would do, greeted the angel of the person as well as the person he was addressing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, let us listen to St. Bernard, the Abbot of Clairvaux: ‘In every place show respect to thy Angel. Let gratitude for his benefits incite thee to honour his greatness. Love this thy future coheir, the Guardian appointed for thee by the Father during thy childhood. For though we are sons of God, we are as yet but children, and long and dangerous is our journey. But God hath given His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands, they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk, and thou shalt trample underfoot the lion and the dragon. [Psalm xc. 11-13] Yes; where the road is smooth enough for a child, they will content themselves with guiding thee, and sustaining thy footsteps, as one does for children. But if trials threaten to surpass thy strength, they will bear thee up. Oh, those hands of Angels! Thanks to them, what fearful straits we have passed through, as it were without thinking, and with no other impression left upon us than that of a nightmare suddenly dispelled!’ [Psalm xc. Sermon xii]

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

References

1. Pope, M. C. (2022, October 3). You have a guardian angel who protects you and leads you to heaven. National Catholic Register. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/angels-iii
2. Ponnet, D. (2024, August 28). The Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Holy Family Church. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://holyfamily.org/the-feast-of-the-holy-guardian-angels/
3. Guardian Angels. (n.d.). EWTN Global Catholic Television Network. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/guardian-angels-14634
4. Gilmartin, T. (1910). Feast of Guardian Angels. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07050a.htm