Guardian angel
The Guardian Angels are spiritual beings who accompany and protect human beings from birth. Guardian Angels are protective beings assigned to each person, and they are especially important for children, as they serve as guides and protectors. The Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels is celebrated on October 2nd, a tradition that dates back to the year 800.
- 1. Guardian Angel
- 2. What or who is the Guardian Angel?
- 3. Who is our Guardian Angel?
- 4. My Guardian Angel
- 5. The Role of Guardian Angels in the Bible
- 6. Angels in Christian Tradition
- 7. Pope Francis and the Guardian Angels
Guardian Angel
The guardian angel, the guardian angels, also known as guardian or custodian angels, exist and have been by the side of men, women, and children since God created humanity. Every Christian, from birth, has a protective presence accompanying them in whom they can trust.
In the early years of the Catholic Church, devotion to the custodian angels was deeply rooted. Writings bear witness to the profound trust that early Christians placed in the holy guardian angels.
Over the centuries, the great respect and devotion once felt for these protective angels seem to have diminished, especially among adults. However, children within the Christian canon have a special affinity for the guardian angels. These heavenly beings that guide and comfort them watch over and protect them, even while they sleep. Custodian angels are religious figures who have gained great popularity among the youngest members of the household.
The devotion to the custodian angels has a long tradition within the Church. As early as the year 800, the "Feast of the Guardian Angels" was celebrated in England, and in 1608 it was extended to the entire Universal Church under the name "the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels" on October 2nd.
Text from the Gospel (Mt 18:1-5, 10) for October 2nd:
“On one occasion, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, placed him among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.’”
During the liturgy, it is important to remember the existence of protective angels. They are not just stories for children, but incorporeal beings who assist us whenever needed, night or day, in sorrow and in joy. Always when necessary. All that is required is to ask for help, say a prayer, and the angel will assist. These protective spirits are a support, a sweet safety net to fall upon. Don’t forget, always trust in your guardian angel.
What or who is the Guardian Angel?
To understand this fascinating spiritual universe, the crucial question is: What or who is a guardian angel?
The answer to this question is very complex. One could say that the guardian angel is a supernatural entity that watches over an individual soul from its conception in the mother's womb to eternal life. Celestial beings are not born when their charge arrives in the earthly world. Guardian angels were created by God at the beginning of time. The purpose of their existence is to obey the Creator’s word, protecting a person.
The guardian angels are spiritual beings, without a physical body, and therefore not subject to the physical corruption that human beings suffer. Despite not having their own body, they can manifest if their mission requires it.
Who is our Guardian Angel?
When asked who is our guardian angel? or who is my custodian angel?, the first thing we should know is that every Christian has an angel that protects them under God’s command. We each have one guardian angel, who is ours alone, meaning we do not share them with anyone else.
My Guardian Angel
Your guardian angel will never abandon you, will always be near to protect you, and is yours alone, so you can call them “my guardian angel.”
However, experts point out that it is not always someone you loved who has died and come back as an angel to stay by your side forever. Though it would be nice, the guardian angel has nothing to do with earthly people; they are spirits created by God with the mission to guard and support their charge. They are our protector and our guide.
Their special task is to help you understand God's word and inspire you to follow the right path.
The guardian angel has come to your side to accompany you in life's battles, to protect you when you feel fragile. They do not have a specific name, as the only ones confirmed by the Church are those mentioned in the Scriptures, like Saint Gabriel, Saint Michael, or Saint Raphael.
What is truly important is that this is a spiritual presence created by God to share His immense love with you. It doesn’t matter if you were born in February, June, or November; nor does your birthplace or social condition matter. The Holy Father will demonstrate His love for you on the day of your birth by sending a guardian angel who will support you throughout your life and beyond. Whenever you need help, your custodian angel will be by your side.
The Role of Guardian Angels in the Bible
The figure of the guardian angel holds great relevance throughout the history of the Catholic Church from its beginnings. In fact, the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, contains numerous references to guardian angels. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that the existence of these celestial beings is a truth of faith supported by both Sacred Scripture and Christian Tradition.
The Guardian Angel in the Old Testament
The Old Testament, the first part of the Christian Bible, consists of 46 books where angels frequently appear to help God’s chosen people. For example, in Genesis and Exodus, we see references to angels following the Lord’s commands.
In Exodus, we read about the times when the people of Israel were brutally oppressed by Pharaoh. Moses is chosen by the Lord to liberate Israel, and God tells him that he can count on the guidance of a guardian angel to protect them during their journey.
The Old Testament also clarifies that God has an army of angels at His command, a legion of faithful servants who intervene to assist men and women who are followers of God's Word.
Guardian Angels in the New Testament
The presence of celestial beings in the pages of the New Testament is frequent and is strongly related to Christ, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the disciples, and the followers of Jesus.
A guardian angel appeared to Christ while He was praying in the garden, after sharing the Last Supper with His disciples. The image of Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane with the appearance of the angel is one of the traditional figures of Holy Week, a religious sculpture set that is part of Catholic popular tradition.
Another moment where the intervention of an angel holds great relevance is the liberation of Saint Peter from prison. Saint Peter had been imprisoned by Herod Agrippa for being a disciple and faithful defender of Christ's teachings. While in prison, a celestial figure appeared and freed him from captivity.
The protective angels are presented in the New Testament as messengers of God, servant spirits at the command of heaven who help and protect those who are to be saved by following Christ's teachings. These heavenly beings fulfill their mission of protection and guidance on earth with their hearts and eyes set on Heaven.
Angels are emissaries of the Holy Father who help and protect the Virgin Mary, Christ, and His followers.
Angels in Christian Tradition
Throughout the history of the Holy Mother Church, numerous Catholic traditions have evolved over the centuries. Christian angelology is one of these traditions.
The study of angels, as a branch of theology, is based on Sacred Scripture, the Holy Word of God recorded in the Bible. This starting point has been used by many esteemed authors to delve deeper into the fascinating world of celestial spirits.
Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite
Who was Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite?
Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite was one of the Church Fathers who lived in the 6th century. He is known as an important writer and scholar of mystical theology and the angelic realm. His work has greatly influenced thinkers such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint John of the Cross.
The Celestial Hierarchies of Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite
Regarding angelology, Pseudo Dionysius published a significant historical work titled "The Celestial Hierarchies," in which he discusses the classification God established among celestial beings.
Saint Augustine of Hippo
Who was Saint Augustine?
Saint Augustine of Hippo was a Saint and a Doctor of the Church who carried out his literary and pastoral activity in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. He is recognized as one of the great intellectuals of his time.
Throughout his life, he carried out a great evangelizing mission as both a priest and a bishop. He published numerous works on philosophy and theology, and he was one of the great defenders of the Christian faith against the heresies of his time.
The Duty of a Guardian Angel
Saint Augustine reflected on numerous themes related to the faith and Catholic life. Among these reflections are his teachings on angels and celestial spirits, which are considered fundamental pillars of angelology.
One of Saint Augustine’s most important teachings is that the word “angel” does not refer to a being’s nature, but to the duty they perform. In other words, the role of guarding and protecting defines a guardian angel.
This teaching has been included in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in section 329 under the title “Who are angels?”
Saint Jerome of Stridon
Who was Saint Jerome?
Saint Jerome is recognized as one of the four Latin Fathers of the Church. He was an important ascetic monk who developed significant pastoral and academic activity in the late 4th and early 5th centuries.
The Saint was a great scholar of the Bible, served as a priest in Constantinople and Rome, and translated the Bible into Latin (a translation known as the Vulgate). He was named a Doctor of the Church in the 13th century for the influence of his work on the Catholic religion.
The Guardian Angels and the Christian Soul
Among his vast academic work, Saint Jerome left a reflection on guardian angels that helped highlight the importance of the Christian soul. He taught that each soul is precious because God assigned a guardian angel to each one. Every soul, every man, and every woman is personally protected from the day they are born by a guardian angel who guards them against evil and danger, even from the presence of the Evil One.
Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
Who was Saint Ambrose?
Saint Ambrose lived in the 4th century and is recognized as one of the most important Doctors of the Catholic Church in the West during antiquity. He was a great scholar of Sacred Scripture and a prominent author of his time.
He is remembered for his great work as governor and bishop of Milan, his deep knowledge of the Bible, and as the teacher of Saint Augustine.
The Guardian Angels and Protection
Saint Ambrose spoke about angels in his works. Among his teachings, he emphasized the idea that a great number of angels and celestial beings are present on Earth. Each of these guardian angels protects a specific person, helping them resist temptations and assisting them in difficult times. The righteous benefit from angelic protection, and they are escorted by angels at the time of their death to the eternal dwelling place.
Saint Ambrose also taught that the choirs of angels and archangels rejoice greatly with the conversion of sinners. Every conversion is a source of great joy and peace for the heavenly hosts.
Saint John Chrysostom, Patron of Preachers
Who was Saint John Chrysostom?
Saint John Chrysostom was a priest born in Antioch in the 4th century. He was a great scholar of the Bible and became the Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the most important cities of the time. He was known for his great humility and distance from material desires.
Saint John, also known as Saint John of Antioch, is remembered for his nickname “Chrysostom,” which comes from the Greek term “chrysóstomos,” formed by two words: “chrysós” (meaning gold) and “stoma” (meaning mouth). Thus, Saint John of Antioch became known as Saint John Chrysostom, which can be translated as “Saint John the golden mouth.”
This nickname referred to Saint John’s extraordinary oratory skills. His sermons and teachings gained great fame both in his homeland and in neighboring countries. Saint John Chrysostom is regarded as one of the greatest orators of ancient times, known for his exceptional eloquence.
A Guardian Angel for Every Nation
Saint John Chrysostom taught about guardian angels and the protection they offer as messengers of God. The saint affirmed that guardian angels protect individuals, but also nations.
Saint John said that each nation has a guardian angel assigned to watch over and protect it. This is recognized in various liturgical celebrations established by each country. For example, in the 19th century, Spain proclaimed October 1st as the feast of the Holy Guardian Angel of the Kingdom. Similarly, 20th-century Mexican missals recorded October 1st as the day of the Holy Guardian Angel of the Nation. In Uruguay, the Holy Guardian Angel of the Republic was celebrated on March 2nd.
All of these guardian angel celebrations, established in the 19th and early 20th centuries, were unified with a common criterion established at the Second Vatican Council. From that point onward, October 2nd was officially designated as the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.
In addition to nations, dioceses, parishes, cathedrals, churches, monasteries, and other institutions also have guardian angels. The saint witnessed during his prayers how many angels adored the Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Who was Saint Gregory?
Saint Gregory of Nyssa was one of the most important figures among the great philosophers and theologians of the 4th century. He was born into a deeply Catholic family. Saint Basil was his older brother, while Saint Macrina, another of his siblings, was his first instructor in the Christian faith.
Saint Gregory became the bishop of Nyssa. After his brother’s death, who had been his life-long role model, he assumed the leadership role against the spread of Arianism in his diocese. He published numerous works and attended synods and ecumenical councils in defense of the Christian faith.
The Guardian Angels Seek the Good of Their Charge
Saint Gregory of Nyssa, like other authors such as Saint Basil, Saint Gregory Nazianzus, and Saint Hilary of Poitiers, explored the constant presence of guardian angels among humans as a protective force. As a shield created by God to defend Christians against attacks from the evil one and temptations.
These protective spirits are intermediaries who listen to our prayers and offer them to the Creator for His greater glory. In doing so, they seek the good of their charge, helping them to find the path to Resurrection and Eternal Life.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Who was Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas Aquinas was one of the most important saints of the Middle Ages. He was born in Italy in the 13th century into a noble family. At a young age
he joined the Dominican Order, against the wishes of his family.
He was a great scholar of classical authors and philosophers, especially Aristotle, and of Sacred Scripture. Throughout his life, he demonstrated that these two worlds, which seemed destined not to understand each other, were actually complementary in a natural harmony. He showed that the pre-Christian, pagan Aristotelian thought was compatible and could be harmonized with Christian faith.
Saint Thomas carried out intense work as a professor in Paris, composed beautiful texts and hymns for Corpus Christi and other liturgical celebrations, preached among the most humble about God’s word, and was the author of numerous theological and philosophical works and documents. Among his most prominent works is the Summa Theologiae (The Summa Theologica), which is considered the highest expression of medieval theological science.
Angels in Saint Thomas’s Summa Theologica
The Summa is the pinnacle of Thomistic doctrine. This treatise, which Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote in the last years of his life, follows a consistent structure throughout the entire work.
It is divided into several parts, which are then divided into treaties that, in turn, are subdivided into questions. Each treaty addresses a specific topic, forming a thematic and homogeneous unit that Saint Thomas explains in the introduction to each treaty. For example, the second treaty, titled “The Divine Nature” in modern editions, raises numerous questions about God’s nature.
One of the treaties in the Summa is dedicated to angels and celestial spirits. It is called the “Treatise on Angels.” This section consists of fourteen questions (from questions 50 to 64) in which Saint Thomas Aquinas addresses questions related to the substance of angels, their movement, the knowledge of angelic beings, their love, and their grace.
Saint Thomas's reflections on guardian angels are not original but rather a compilation, organization, and update of ideas he gathered from important Church Fathers and ecclesiastical theologians such as Saint Augustine, Pseudo-Dionysius, Saint John Damascene, Saint Gregory, Saint Jerome, Saint Isidore, Saint Ambrose, Saint Bernard, and others.
Saint John Vianney, the Curé of Ars
Who was Saint John Vianney?
Saint John Vianney was a French priest who carried out tireless evangelizing work in the town of Ars. His dedication to the faithful and their confessions, his profound faith, and his selfless devotion to others earned him great fame in France and the rest of Europe. Over the more than 40 years he ministered, thousands of pilgrims visited Ars seeking confession and counsel from Saint John Vianney.
On October 3, 1874, Pope Pius IX declared John Baptist Mary Vianney venerable. Shortly afterward, in 1925, Pope Pius XI canonized him. Saint John Vianney's feast day is celebrated on August 4th.
The Prayer to Guardian Angels by the Holy Curé of Ars
Saint John Vianney always had guardian angels in mind during his prayers and sermons. He strove to remind the faithful attending Mass to include prayers to God in honor of the angels. The saint considered guardian angels as loyal friends who accompany us in every moment and situation, friends who support and guide us.
The Holy Curé of Ars recommended that all devotees recite a simple prayer before going to bed:
“Good night, my guardian angel. Thank you for watching over me during the day; offer God all the beats of my heart while I sleep.”
Pope Francis and the Guardian Angels
Pope Francis, in many of his homilies and speeches, has highlighted the importance of guardian angels for Catholics. Especially on October 2nd, the day the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, the Holy Father has emphasized the importance of protective angels in the lives of the faithful.
Pope Francis has often said that guardian angels exist and protect us from evil, serve as our counselors (“no one can counsel themselves”), and guide us toward God. The Pope insists on the importance of maintaining an understanding and reflective attitude toward our guardian angel, as one must be docile to appreciate and understand the advice and good intentions with which angels bless us.
It is always important to remember that guardian angels are with people but are also in contact with God. They act as a bridge between the earthly and the heavenly realms.