The Guardian Angels
(Memorial of the Guardian Angels - October 2)
Every individual soul has a guardian angel. The Catholic Encyclopedia reminds us that this is not an article of faith because it has never been defined by the Church. However, the reality of our personal guardian angels is nonetheless the “mind of the Church.” As St. Jerome put it: “how great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it (Comm. in Matt., xviii, lib. II).” Last week, I shared quite a bit on angels, generally. So, go check that out, if you have not already!
In Psalm 91:11-12, we hear:
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone (Psalm 91:11-12).”
So, though not defined by the Church, as such, the presence of guardian angels in our lives is a clear reality, as the testimony of Scripture attests. We also see angels given care over certain locales. Because the traditional understanding is that each person has a guardian angel, but so does each principality, parish, diocese, and the like.
What is quite incredible about our guardian angels is that while with us here on earth, they do not lose their vision of God. As such, they are poised and placed by God to lead us to the Kingdom of Heaven!
Every human soul has a guardian angel from the first moment of his or her existence. St. Basil, St. John Chrysostom, and a few others seem to suggest that only baptized Christians have this privilege. However, it would seem that an intelligent being, conformed to the will of God, entrusted to watch over us and guide us would be extended to all of humanity. Because God desires the salvation of all (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-4).”
To end this short reflection, I would like to share a short prayer that you can say at the beginning or end of the day. My wife and I pray the night version with our son each night:
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this night be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen.
