Do guardian angels really exist?

[Greg57]

So I know this isn’t really the right place for this question because it’s not a matter of morality, but I couldn’t find where else to post it. I do apologize.

I was wondering - is the idea that each person has her/his own guardian angel official Catholic teaching? Or is it just something we tell kids to SYMBOLIZE the fact that there is a higher power constantly looking over us?

The question here isn’t whether or not angels exist - I know they do, and I know they look over us like everything else heavenly. But does the Church actually officially teach that each individual person has a specifically assigned guardian angel?

According to the official Catechism, yes, the Church teaches that each person has an angel to guide and protect that individual. Saint Padre Pio often carried on conversations with his own guardian angel (and fought off some of the bad ones!).

 

[thistle]

You do have to accept what the scriptures say. And according to my post, they DO exist.

I wasn’t addressing you.
I was addressing Vince1022 in post #2. He said the Church does not teach that we have guardian angels (although he personally believed in them) and he further said we do not have to believe in any teachings about that, if any. He is wrong!

The Catholic Church teaches that we are all assigned a guardian angel from the moment of our conception to the moment of our death. Catholics must accept this teaching.

 

[PbloPicasso]

I wasn’t addressing you.
I was addressing Vince1022 in post #2. He said the Church does not teach that we have guardian angels (although he personally believed in them) and he further said we do not have to believe in any teachings about that, if any. He is wrong!

The Catholic Church teaches that we are all assigned a guardian angel from the moment of our conception to the moment of our death. Catholics must accept this teaching.

Have you ever read “Send Me Your Guardian Angel”?

 

[Debora123]

I saw mine once. Either that or I was seeing things. He saved my life.

Share your story! I wanna know!

 

[sojo]

My son has Down syndrome. He has limited speech for his age (he’s now 14), but he has been adamant since about 2 years old that he has TWO guardian angels, and he could see them and pointed to them when he was little. He still can see them, but not as often. He knows one’s name but not the other.

My son does not have any imaginary friends, nor an exceptional imagination. When we first started teaching about angels in catechism, his eyes lit up and he started shaking his head madly, like, “oh, yeah, I know what you are talking about, I see that kind of being!!”

I remember seeing his eyes move as he tracked them around the room. My son doesn’t lie - he doesn’t make up stuff (never has… just not his nature).

My son made me a believer in angels. His one angel has said his name was Peter-Paul (this from a 3 year old who had little bible training and knows not one Peter or one Paul). He said the other angel won’t give his name.

 

[sojo]

Oops, I blew it. the angel’s name, according to my son is John Peter. Just got corrected.

 

[beth40n2]

Guardian Angels of People and Places

Exodus 23:20-23
"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. [21] Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. [22] If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.
[23] "My angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites; and I will wipe them out.

Judith 13:20 (Vulgate/Douai)
As the same Lord lives, his angel has been my keeper both going hence and abiding there, and returning from there here; and the Lord has not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but has brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory, for my escape, and for your deliverance.

Psalm 34:7
[8] The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them,
delivers all who fear God.

Psalm 91:11-13
For God commands the angels
to guard you in all your ways.
[12] With their hands they shall support you,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
[13] You shall tread upon the asp and the viper,
trample the lion and the dragon.

Daniel 10:13
but the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way for twenty-one days, until finally Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kings of Persia,

Matthew 18:10
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

Acts 12:14-15
She was so overjoyed when she recognized Peter’s voice that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. [15] They told her, “You are out of your mind,” but she insisted that it was so. But they kept saying, “It is his angel.”

Acts 16:9
During (the) night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Rev. 1:20
This is the secret meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Rev. 3:1
"To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this:
" 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: "I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Why we need the Guardian Angel:

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour.

Rev. 12:9
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.

 

[Vince1022]

In your post #2 you said we do not have to accept the Church teaching on guardian angels!!

In case you forgot what you said:

"Does the Catholic Church teach they exist, and such teaching must be adhered to by all Catholics? No.

Where does the Catholic Church teach that believing in guardian angels is required for the Catholic faith? That’s my point.

To put it another way: if one does not believe in guardian angels, does that make one not Catholic? By the teaching of the Catholic Church?

 

[PbloPicasso]

Share your story! I wanna know!

Personal revelations are not allowed on here, but I may send it to you via PM.

But first I’m preparing for finals and wrapping up the semester assignments.

 

[thistle]

Where does the Catholic Church teach that believing in guardian angels is required for the Catholic faith? That’s my point.

To put it another way: if one does not believe in guardian angels, does that make one not Catholic? By the teaching of the Catholic Church?

Let me repeat it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains a summary of ALL Church teachings (infallible and non-infallible) plus disciplines.
Catholics are required to accept all contained therein! You may not reject any teaching in the CCC.

 

[Debora123]

Personal revelations are not allowed on here, but I may send it to you via PM.

But first I’m preparing for finals and wrapping up the semester assignments.

Oh boo! I wonder why they’re not allowed? Well let me know when you can!

 

[Vince1022]

Let me repeat it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains a summary of ALL Church teachings (infallible and non-infallible) plus disciplines.
Catholics are required to accept all contained therein! You may not reject any teaching in the CCC.

The Church teaches that one is obligated to follow one’s conscience. So, if one’s conscience leads one to sincerely doubt the existence of guardian angels, does that make one not Catholic?

 

[PbloPicasso]

The Church teaches that one is obligated to follow one’s conscience. So, if one’s conscience leads one to sincerely doubt the existence of guardian angels, does that make one not Catholic?

No, that is why it is essential for us to continue to form our conscience according to the teachings of the Church. I know a woman that converted to Catholicism but chooses to avoid all of the Marian doctrine and devotions. I used to feel funny about it as well. Some people take some of these beliefs and devotions a little too far though, even thought “technically okay” they do seem to freak people out at times by over doing it. But guardian angels? That’s scriptural, even if its only one angel that is there for all of us. Remember “time and space” are created for man to experience God. God, the angels and Saints transcend time and space. How do we know this. Read the bible. Not only that but it actually makes sense and explains a lot about the existence of God and the Universe, at least for me.

 

[Bendecida]

bump

 

[PbloPicasso]

bump

sure, but I need to practice here first.

 

[Vince1022]

No, that is why it is essential for us to continue to form our conscience according to the teachings of the Church. I know a woman that converted to Catholicism but chooses to avoid all of the Marian doctrine and devotions. I used to feel funny about it as well. Some people take some of these beliefs and devotions a little too far though, even thought “technically okay” they do seem to freak people out at times by over doing it. But guardian angels? That’s scriptural, even if its only one angel that is there for all of us. Remember “time and space” are created for man to experience God. God, the angels and Saints transcend time and space. How do we know this. Read the bible. Not only that but it actually makes sense and explains a lot about the existence of God and the Universe, at least for me.

Of course one’s conscience should be properly formed. That is of course essential, along with the teaching of following one’s conscience (regardless of how well it is properly formed).

Where does Scripture refer to guardian angels? Thanks.

 

[PbloPicasso]

Of course one’s conscience should be properly formed. That is of course essential, along with the teaching of following one’s conscience (regardless of how well it is properly formed).

Where does Scripture refer to guardian angels? Thanks.

See post #16. Just because the term “guardian” is not added to the scripture does not mean it isn’t the same. Even a blind fool, like me, can see it in context here:
**Matthew 18:10
**

See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Let me repeat it…Catholics are required to accept all contained therein! You may not reject any teaching in the CCC.

NO, NO, NO. Where does the Catholic Church teach THAT??? That is not only nonsense, it is heresy. The Catechism contains both doctrine and pious opinion. To claim that the two are equal and binding is heresy. Do unbaptized infants have any hope of heaven whatsoever? Many centuries of OPINION (including the opinion of many Doctors and Popes) have maintained they do not, but current OPINION expects that they do. Are you saying the OPINION presented in the CCC is BINDING upon all Catholics in the same way that DEFINED DOCTRINE is? When NO such doctrine has ACTUALLY been defined one way or another? To teach a doctrine that is not doctrine is the very definition of heresy. The Catechism contains MANY teachings that are NOT doctrine, and which ANY Catholic is free to accept or reject. A Catholic is PERFECTLY FREE to either accept or reject the theory of Limbo, which was once widely accepted but has fallen into disfavor (and is not supported by the current CCC, but might be supported by tomorrow’s revised edition).

The problem is that the Catechism is not very good at establishing which of its teachings are defined doctrines and which are merely current theological opinions (and subject to change). This is why it is STILL the Church who defines Doctrine, not readers of the Catechism (or the Bible).

FWIW, I would love to see a Catholic Publishing House print an edition of the Catechism with actual doctrinal content highlighted (maybe in red-letter). By my estimation, this would encompass about a third of the text.

 

[Debora123]

NO, NO, NO. Where does the Catholic Church teach THAT??? That is not only nonsense, it is heresy. The Catechism contains both doctrine and pious opinion. To claim that the two are equal and binding is heresy. Do unbaptized infants have any hope of heaven whatsoever? Many centuries of OPINION (including the opinion of many Doctors and Popes) have maintained they do not, but current OPINION expects that they do. Are you saying the OPINION presented in the CCC is BINDING upon all Catholics in the same way that DEFINED DOCTRINE is? When NO such doctrine has ACTUALLY been defined one way or another? To teach a doctrine that is not doctrine is the very definition of heresy. The Catechism contains MANY teachings that are NOT doctrine, and which ANY Catholic is free to accept or reject. A Catholic is PERFECTLY FREE to either accept or reject the theory of Limbo, which was once widely accepted but has fallen into disfavor (and is not supported by the current CCC, but might be supported by tomorrow’s revised edition).

The problem is that the Catechism is not very good at establishing which of its teachings are defined doctrines and which are merely current theological opinions (and subject to change). This is why it is STILL the Church who defines Doctrine, not readers of the Catechism (or the Bible).

FWIW, I would love to see a Catholic Publishing House print an edition of the Catechism with actual doctrinal content highlighted (maybe in red-letter). By my estimation, this would encompass about a third of the text.

True…

A lot of people seem to think that the entire CCC needs to be taken completely literally, word per word, and is the 100% truth with no fallibility. But the fact of the matter is, a lot of what is written in the CCC changes periodically… and it has. From that, one can only conclude that a lot of what the CCC states is not THE WORD. A lot of it is, but a lot of it isn’t.

 

[vz71]

True…

A lot of people seem to think that the entire CCC needs to be taken completely literally, word per word, and is the 100% truth with no fallibility. But the fact of the matter is, a lot of what is written in the CCC changes periodically… and it has. From that, one can only conclude that a lot of what the CCC states is not THE WORD. A lot of it is, but a lot of it isn’t.

Let’s not confuse the difference between the language around an idea changing and the idea itself changing.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am mistaken here, but the CCC is the infallible dogma.

Language may change, but the dogma that is there does not.