Guardian Angels
One of the beautiful and consoling teachings of the Catholic Church is that God has given each one of us a guardian angel to lead us on the path to salvation. Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life. Angels are pure spirits.
A guardian angel is an angel (a created, non-human, non-corporeal being) who possesses intelligence and will. Angels “have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation,” according to the catechism. The word “angel” comes from the Greek “angelos,” meaning “messenger,” and these are beings who aid in God’s saving plan. Guardian Angels have been assigned to guard a particular person, especially with respect to helping that person avoid spiritual dangers and achieve salvation.
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].
Many saints trusted steadfastly in their guardian angels, including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio, and St. John Paul the Great. Padre Pio, a Capuchin Franciscan who died in 1968, was granted the vision of not only his own guardian angel but also those of others.
“How consoling it is to know that we are always under the protection of a heavenly spirit, who never abandons us, not even (most admirable fact!) in the very act by which we displease God,” wrote Padre Pio in a letter to one of his spiritual daughters.
Here are 5 things to know about your guardian angel: (We invite you to read more in the source link below from the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Where do we read about guardian angels in Scripture? We see angels helping people on various occasions in Scripture, but there are certain instances in which we see angels providing a protective function over a period of time. In Tobit, Raphael is assigned to an extended mission to help Tobit’s son (and his family in general). In Daniel, Michael is described as “the great prince who has charge of your [Daniel’s] people” (Dan. 12:1). He is thus depicted as the guardian angel of Israel. In the Gospels, Jesus indicates that there are guardian angels for individuals, including little children. He says: See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matt. 18:10).
What does Jesus mean when he says these angels “always behold” the face of the Father? It may mean that they are constantly standing in his presence in heaven and able to communicate the needs of their charges to him. Alternately, based on the idea that angels are messengers in the heavenly court, it may mean that whenever these angels seek access to the heavenly court, they are always granted it and allowed to present the needs of their charges to God.
Who has guardian angels? It is considered theologically certain that each member of the faith has a special guardian angel from the time of baptism. This view is reflected in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which speaks of “each believer” having a guardian angel.
How can we thank them for the help they give us? We can offer our guardian angels devout gratitude to God for having placed them at our service, knowing they live constantly in the presence of God. We can have serenity and confidence in facing difficult situations, since the Lord guides and protects the faithful in the way of justice through the ministry of His Holy Angels.
What is the Angele Dei prayer? Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen.
*source: Diocese of Bridgeport
*source: video Fr. Chad Ripperger
*source: photo Alexey Tyranov (1801-1859), "Angel Fighting for the Soul" (photo: Register Files)
