Denver Newsroom, Oct 2, 2022 / 00:00 am (CNA).
On Oct. 2, the Catholic Church celebrates the memorial of the guardian angels.
Guardian angels are instruments of providence who protect their charges from suffering serious harm, and care for their salvation.
It is a theologically certain teaching that every one one of the faithful has his or her own guardian angel from baptism, and it is the general teaching of theologians that every human person has his or her own guardian angel from birth.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their [angels’] 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).
Several of our greatest saints have also shared their thoughts on guardian angels. Here’s what they had to say:
St. John Vianney: “Our guardian angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought often to invoke them.”
St. John Bosco: “When tempted, invoke your angel. He is more eager to help you than you are to be helped. Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him; he trembles and flees at the sight of your guardian angel.”
St. Jerome: “How great is the dignity of souls, that each person has from birth received an angel to protect it.”
St. Basil the Great: “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux: “We should show our affection for the angels, for one day they will be our co-heirs just as here below they are our guardians and trustees appointed and set over us by the father.”
St. Francis de Sales: “Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit. Without being seen, they are present with you.”
St. Josemaría Escrivá: “If you remembered the presence of your angel and the angels of your neighbors, you would avoid many of the foolish things which slip into your conversations.”
St. John Cassian: “Cherubim means knowledge in abundance. They provide an everlasting protection for that which appeases God, namely, the calm of your heart, and they will cast a shadow of protection against all the attacks of malign spirits.”
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On Friday January 4, 2019 around 3 in the afternoon I went to Reny’s Store in Farmington, Maine.
There was a parking place right in front of the store, which had never happened before that and has not happened since then – GA #1.
I made 2 purchases and was heading out of the store when my right leg gave away and down I went. I broke a tendon in my right knee and a bone in my left wrist, but at the time I felt ok. (Shock?) 2 people helped me into my car parked right in front. I drove home (10 miles) and somehow managed to get inside the house, as in I have no memory of doing it – GA #2.
I sat down and told myself I was ok although things were starting to HURT BIGTIME.
I just happened to have my phone within reach of my left hand, the only one I could use – GA #3.
I kept telling myself that I was ok although it was getting increasingly apparent that such was not the case. Finally at 3 a.m. I realized (acknowledged) that something was really wrong and called first responders and they were there within 15 minutes – woken up at 3 in the morning on a January morning in rural Maine and there within 15 minutes. GA#4.
My GA wouldn’t tell me his (or her) name – he/she just smiled and said “I’ll be keeping an eye on you – like I have for the last 75 years.”
This REALLY happened.
Addendum – at NO time did I feel that I was in any danger at all.
Addendum #2- the part about speaking to my GA – I made that up.
Sorry
Through the years I gave scant attention to guardian angels, considered a real though pious sentiment. Until faced with difficulties common to the priesthood, fervid issues erupting among parishioners seemingly out of nowhere. Instances of solitary assignments in remote areas. Alone in darkness, unexpected sounds [structural shifting, perhaps not]. Faith strengthens. During prayer we know He’s present. With his angels. That gathered from Night Prayer.
Final prayers [night prayers] on Sundays offer an alternative or complementary prayer for protection during the night.
“Lord, we beg you to visit this house and banish from it all the deadly power of the enemy. May your holy angels dwell here to keep us in peace, and may your blessing be upon us always. We ask this through Christ Our Lord”.
We might ask, why angels? Then, why not? That angels are more of God’s creatures to love.
The information given via the link below is very informative with regard to Angels
The Orthodox Church’s Teachings on Angels » Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church (saintjohnchurch.org)
kevin your brother
In Christ
I have only recently developed a close relationship with my Guardian Angel. It’s been a most comforting experience. I’m keeping my Guardian Angel busy!
We can not begin to know how the Lord protects us!
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
My guardian angel wakes me up when I oversleep, steers me out of troubled waters, helps me out of sticky situations,guides me into blessed situations. The more I pray and make appeals and live a devout life, the more help I get.
Also go to mass it’s the only time they get to go.