Today, October 2nd, is the Feast Day of the Guardian Angels. They help us navigate this sometimes-perilous Earth in three major ways: 1. Assisting us in avoiding temptation, 2. Protecting us physically, and 3. Helping us grow closer to God.
St. Padre Pio said, “Invoke your guardian angels, that they will illuminate you and will guide you. God has given them to you for a reason. Therefore, use them!”
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 336, it states: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by the angels’ watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd.”
Biblical scholars do not know how many angels there are, but St. John said, “They number as great as the stars.”
Assisting Us In Avoiding Temptation
We were assigned our own angel at birth. We desperately need their help, because life loves to throw us derailing curveballs. A third of God’s created angels were cast down in their rebellion, and “roam about the world seeking the ruin of souls.” Our journey here is rife with stumbling blocks, and it’s nice to know we are truly not alone, as we try to always live lives which glorify God.
St. John Bosco said, “When tempted, invoke your angel. The devil trembles and flees at the sight of your angel.”
“For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91:11-12.
Once, when I was about 13, a new girl, Liz, moved into the neighborhood. This was 1977, in the D.C. suburbs. Liz lived in a permissive home without too much supervision. We all tried to welcome her, but it was baffling. She managed to constantly be in trouble. One afternoon on our backyard patio, Liz pulled a joint out of her pocket and asked me if I wanted some. Within seconds, my mother showed up at the sliding glass door. “Theresa, you have a phone call. Hurry up; don’t keep them waiting.” Liz fled, and when I entered the kitchen, the phone was on the hook. Huh?
“Just thought I’d save you from that,” Mom stated, eyebrows raised. Today I believe my guardian angel helped my mother hear every word of that conversation with Liz.
Gossip. True poison. I have been sucked into it multiple times. I believe it is a sin. At my previous place of employment, there was a woman who always pulled me aside to trash others. (Made me wonder what she was saying about me when I was not around)! Her beef with another coworker was totally true. That coworker bullied and belittled us! I wanted to be a “good listener” and “validate” this lady’s complaints, but her words were downright mean.
My guardian angel enveloped me and shoved me outta there to another task, before I succumbed to being a full-fledged participant in this toxicity. It was HARD.
Protecting Us Physically
I was headed to work the other day, and the major highways in this downtown and their signage are super confusing. Even the GPS sucks on that route! Here I was, merrily driving all the way in the left lane, and my immediate exit was 4 lanes to the right! SCOOTCH! No cars in my way. Probably not too swift of me… Yep. That’s my guardian angel.
As I recently drove my post-op husband home from an unknown out of town area, he took a sip from his water bottle. It dribbled all over him when he shouted, “WATCH OUT!!!” Another car was rapidly approaching us head-on. Nowhere to swerve. Again, guardian angel carrying out God’s orders that that day was not to be the day we got into a wreck.
I am so, so grateful for all this extra help we humans receive from above!
The angels of protection are: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Sariel, Raguel and Remiel. What a team! How blessed we all are.
Helping Us Grow Closer to God
The angels, including our Guardian, have our best interests at heart. They follow whatever God orders, for our daily benefit. The most important value we Christians have is drawing closer to our Creator.
“Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve His saving plans for other creatures.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 350
St. Thomas Aquinas said, “The angels work together for the benefit of us all.”
Sometimes when I take a walk, I chat with God about all my frustrations. Sometimes I feel overcome, and tears threaten. I believe in those moments, that I am surrounded by angels trying to help console me.
If we remember that the angels are right here in our midst, we will feel comforted by their ability to help us: 1. Avoid temptation, 2. Protect us physically, and 3. Help us grow closer to God.
I feel suffused with warmth and love when I recite my childhood bedtime prayer:
“Oh angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here. Ever this day, be at my side. To light, to guard, to rule, and guide me. Amen.”
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In