Guardian Angels

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taken from: catholictradition.org/Angels/angels3g.htm

What Guardian Angels Do for Us

What are, in particular, the duties of our Guardian Angels? Analyzing these duties, Saint Bernard says that the Angels constantly surround the souls of the faithful in their charge with the most tender care and love. They have but one great desire, that of leading us safely through life till we attain the glory and peace which they themselves possess and fully enjoy while in our company here on earth. They protect both our spiritual and our corporal life. They defend and protect our immortal soul from the seduction of the world and the wiles of Satan. They often shield us from sudden dangers that threaten our life, or come to our rescue when some harm has befallen us. This becomes often manifest with little children who quite often come out of serious accidents without any injury. The mind of the little children cannot be reached with warnings and inspirations, because it is not yet functioning; and thus the Guardian Angel must take direct action in case of danger. Adult persons, in the full use of reason, are warned and cautioned by their Angel, but because they remain free to heed or to ignore such warnings of their Angel, many unfortunate things happen to them in spite of their Heavenly protector.

Another duty of our Angels is that of praising God, and they wish us to join them in this heavenly occupation. ***This is the first thing that the Archangel Raphael demanded before revealing his identity: “Bless ye the God of Heaven, give glory to Him in the sight of all that live, because He has shown His mercy to you.” [Ibid. 6] When the faithful soul, leaving this mortal body, shall look for the first time upon the enchanting features of her Heavenly guide and try to offer thanks for his loving service, she will probably hear the same answer that the grateful Tobias received from the Archangel Raphael: “Peace be to you, fear not; for when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye Him, and sing praises to Him!” [Ibid. 17f.] ***

It is at the hour of death that the good Angel shows the greatest zeal in protecting and defending the soul committed to his care, invoking often the assistance of other Angels against the wiles and the fury of Satan. According to Origen, “At the hour of death the celestial escort receives the soul the moment it leaves the body.” [In Johan., XIX, 4] This common Catholic belief, of the soul being accompanied by its Angel to the Divine Tribunal is based on the words of Our Lord: “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham’s bosom.” [Luke 16: 22] ***The same truth finds expression in the liturgical prayers of the Church, especially in the burial service for adults: “May the Angels lead thee into Paradise, may the Martyrs receive thee at thy coming, and take thee to Jerusalem the holy City. May the choirs of the Angels receive thee, and mayest thou with the once poor Lazarus have rest everlasting . . . Come to his assistance ye Saints of God; meet him ye Angels of the Lord. Receive his soul and present it to the Most High. May Christ who called thee receive thee, and may the Angels lead thee into the bosom of Abraham.” ***Should the departed soul be not quite ready to enter Heaven because it has not fully satisfied Divine Justice for its faults, and must therefore remain for some time in Purgatory, the Guardian Angel will lead it to the place of expiation. The same Angel will often visit it and comfort it in company of other good Angels. Suarez, De Angelis, VI, 19] In the meantime, while the soul is suffering in Purgatory, the Guardian Angel goes around inspiring and prompting some of the friends and relatives or other good souls here on earth to pray and to offer Masses for its release from Purgatory. ***The Guardian Angel will not rest till the day when he shall introduce the soul into Paradise, where it can share with him the blessed vision of God and join in the never-ending hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of Heaven. ***
 
The Church doesn’t need to teach whether or not Guardian Angels are with a person in heaven. The Church teaches that we are part of one Mystical Body of Christ. The entire Church Triumphant is joined together to give honor and glory to God.

Our guardian angels and all angels are joined with our heavenly souls.
 
MtnDwellar said:
The Church doesn’t need to teach whether or not Guardian Angels are with a person in heaven. The Church teaches that we are part of one Mystical Body of Christ. The entire Church Triumphant is joined together to give honor and glory to God.

Our guardian angels and all angels are joined with our heavenly souls.
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Thank you!
 
MtnDwellar said:
The Church doesn’t need to teach whether or not Guardian Angels are with a person in heaven. The Church teaches that we are part of one Mystical Body of Christ. The entire Church Triumphant is joined together to give honor and glory to God.

Our guardian angels and all angels are joined with our heavenly souls.
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👍

We know that our Guardian angel is and will always be part of the Church Triumphant. Let us pray that we will be with our guardian angel then. I am sure that quibbling about this kind of stuff will not be part of the Church Triumphant.

Can you just imagine our guardian angels watching us while we argue about them. I wonder if they are laughing or crying.
 
Interesting topic. I have a slightly different question regarding guardian angels, if it is ok.

Question:
How can you tell whether it is your own conscience, the Holy Spirit, or your guardian angel who keeps you safe or aids in your decision-making?

For example, once I came close to having a serious car accident but I felt a distinct tug in my spirit that told me to slow down when danger wasn’t evident or visible – but if I had not done so I would’ve plowed into a bunch of cars that were stopped just over the hill on a bad weather day that I couldn’t see.

There have also been times when I heard a voice in my spirit tell me, “Don’t do this” or “Don’t do that”.

For example, back in high school I was invited to a party by a girl who said she liked me but she also had a boyfriend she had been dating for awhile. She told me she was going to break up with him that day.

The party was at her house. I didn’t like the girl and sensed she was trouble, but there were other friends of mine who were planning on attending. I thought about going but something in my spirit told me not to go, so I didn’t. I stayed home.

I found out after the fact that her boyfriend, who was two years older than me and who was very jealous, violent, and a little wacko, crashed the party looking for me because she had told him earlier that day she liked me and that she had invited me to the party.
 
Tommy999 said:
Interesting topic. I have a slightly different question regarding guardian angels, if it is ok.

Question:
How can you tell whether it is your own conscience, the Holy Spirit, or your guardian angel who keeps you safe or aids in your decision-making?

For example, once I came close to having a serious car accident but I felt a distinct tug in my spirit that told me to slow down when danger wasn’t evident or visible – but if I had not done so I would’ve plowed into a bunch of cars that were stopped just over the hill on a bad weather day that I couldn’t see.

There have also been times when I heard a voice in my spirit tell me, “Don’t do this” or “Don’t do that”.

For example, back in high school I was invited to a party by a girl who said she liked me but she also had a boyfriend she had been dating for awhile. She told me she was going to break up with him that day.

The party was at her house. I didn’t like the girl and sensed she was trouble, but there were other friends of mine who were planning on attending. I thought about going but something in my spirit told me not to go, so I didn’t. I stayed home.

I found out after the fact that her boyfriend, who was two years older than me and who was very jealous, violent, and a little wacko, crashed the party looking for me because she had told him earlier that day she liked me and that she had invited me to the party.
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I do believe that our guardian angels help us if we listen. I know that my guardian angel has warned me of problems ahead.

I am glad you listened to your angel.
 
thistle said:
In my opinion the answer is no. The CCC seems clear to me on this matter. It states they are with us UNTIL death.

CCC 336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their 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.
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This appears similar to the argument against Mary’s perpetual virginity:
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, 25 but** knew her not until she had borne a son**; and he called his name Jesus.
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Matthew 1:24-25

and that Michal had children after her death:
23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
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2 Samuel 6:23
 
At one time I carried my car keys separate from the others. One Monday I left locked the front door with the house key and headed for the car, but stopped to check something in a flower bed. When I got to the church, I realized that I didn’t have my other keys. I retraced my steps and especially checked the area of the flower bed, but no trace of them.

Later in the week I was given a statue of a Guardian Angel. On Friday I took it up to the church to have it blessed. On the way I mentioned to my Guardian Angel that I wished that he would keep an eye on my keys as well as on me. When I got home my keys were laying on a rock next to the spot where I had been checking in the flower garden.

The easy explanation is that the lawn man found them and put them there. However, he was there Thursday. I didn’t see them there Thursday or on my way out Friday morning. Also, the flower bed is on the opposite side of the walk; well away from the area where he would usually be working.

I strongly recommend praying to your Guardian Angel as well as St Anthony when you misplace something.
 
pianistclare said:
taken from: catholictradition.org/Angels/angels3g.htm
…
The same Angel will often visit it and comfort it in company of other good Angels. Suarez, De Angelis, VI, 19] In the meantime, while the soul is suffering in Purgatory, the Guardian Angel goes around inspiring and prompting some of the friends and relatives or other good souls here on earth to pray and to offer Masses for its release from Purgatory. ***The Guardian Angel will not rest till the day when he shall introduce the soul into Paradise, where it can share with him the blessed vision of God and join in the never-ending hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of Heaven. ***
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Very nice description of angel’s rights in the posit of human folly. I believe the veil of our Guardian Angels has more intimate knowledge of purgation both in our earthly penances and in our final temporal need for the realm of Purgatory after death, if any. Are you familiar with what Saint Faustina would like us to know about her understanding of the actions of our Guardian Angels after our death?
 
Joe_Kelley said:
At one time I carried my car keys separate from the others. One Monday I left locked the front door with the house key and headed for the car, but stopped to check something in a flower bed. When I got to the church, I realized that I didn’t have my other keys. I retraced my steps and especially checked the area of the flower bed, but no trace of them.

Later in the week I was given a statue of a Guardian Angel. On Friday I took it up to the church to have it blessed. On the way I mentioned to my Guardian Angel that I wished that he would keep an eye on my keys as well as on me. When I got home my keys were laying on a rock next to the spot where I had been checking in the flower garden.

The easy explanation is that the lawn man found them and put them there. However, he was there Thursday. I didn’t see them there Thursday or on my way out Friday morning. Also, the flower bed is on the opposite side of the walk; well away from the area where he would usually be working.

I strongly recommend praying to your Guardian Angel as well as St Anthony when you misplace something.
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That’s beautiful, Joe, and I believe you had some angelic help.

During the program I viewed, Johnette called to our attention that St. Gemma Galgani used to ask her angel to deliver her notes to her confessor, and sure enough, they reached him. The guests also mentioned that it’s a good idea to ask our guardian angel to speak to another’s guardian angel and help that person understand something that is very troubling between the two of us, or something that is very important and there’s no way to reach the person. And they often respond to these requests. I found this bit of news very enlightening. What a beautiful ministry they provide for us!
 
Paleocon said:
There is no reason to believe they do.
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Rather than rehash all the citations thus far…let’s think about this:
If a guardian angel, with us from conception, saw us safely to heaven, do you really think they would just say “whew! I’m off the clock!”
No, they would rejoice in the glory of God with us.
That’s what they do. Angels are not “re-assigned” to another soul.
They are our advocate and friend. They are a gift to us from God Himself.
Those is no reason to believe that they simply wander off and abandon their earthly charges just because we made it to heaven. If our relatives can find us, I’m sure our guardian angels can.
 
pianistclare said:
Rather than rehash all the citations thus far…let’s think about this:
If a guardian angel, with us from conception, saw us safely to heaven, do you really think they would just say “whew! I’m off the clock!”
No, they would rejoice in the glory of God with us.
That’s what they do. Angels are not “re-assigned” to another soul.
They are our advocate and friend. They are a gift to us from God Himself.
Those is no reason to believe that they simply wander off and abandon their earthly charges just because we made it to heaven. If our relatives can find us, I’m sure our guardian angels can.
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What is the purpose of a guardian angel? To guard a soul against the forces of Hell.

Once a person is dead, regardless of whether there is any special relationship in Heaven, they cannot continue to be our guardians there, by definition. I see no reason to believe they wouldn’t be assigned to guard some other soul. To say they aren’t would mean that “guardian” is function they fulfill only for a short time.
 
Paleocon said:
What is the purpose of a guardian angel? To guard a soul against the forces of Hell.

Once a person is dead, regardless of whether there is any special relationship in Heaven, they cannot continue to be our guardians there, by definition. I see no reason to believe they wouldn’t be assigned to guard some other soul. To say they aren’t would mean that “guardian” is function they fulfill only for a short time.
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There is not any place where the Church asserts that there are a finite number of angels, and that there is not a particular angel assigned to each person who will ever be born.

From
the Catholic Encyclopedia:
*St. Thomas teaches us (Summa Theologica I:113:4) that only the lowest orders of angels are sent to men, and consequently that they alone are our guardians, though Scotus and Durandus would rather say that any of the members of the angelic host may be sent to execute the Divine commands. Not only the baptized, but every soul that cometh into the world receives a guardian spirit; St. Basil, however (Homily on Psalm 43), and possibly St. Chrysostom (Homily 3 on Colossians) would hold that only Christians were so privileged. Our guardian angels can act upon our senses (I:111:4) and upon our imaginations (I:111:3) — not, however, upon our wills, except “per modum suadentis”, viz. by working on our intellect, and thus upon our will, through the senses and the imagination. (I:106:2; and I:111:2). *Finally, they are not separated from us after death, but remain with us in heaven, not, however, to help us attain salvation, but “ad aliquam illustrationem” (I:108:7, ad 3am). *
*
 
pianistclare said:
There is not any place where the Church asserts that there are a finite number of angels, and that there is not a particular angel assigned to each person who will ever be born.

From
the Catholic Encyclopedia:
*St. Thomas teaches us (Summa Theologica I:113:4) that only the lowest orders of angels are sent to men, and consequently that they alone are our guardians, though Scotus and Durandus would rather say that any of the members of the angelic host may be sent to execute the Divine commands. Not only the baptized, but every soul that cometh into the world receives a guardian spirit; St. Basil, however (Homily on Psalm 43), and possibly St. Chrysostom (Homily 3 on Colossians) would hold that only Christians were so privileged. Our guardian angels can act upon our senses (I:111:4) and upon our imaginations (I:111:3) — not, however, upon our wills, except “per modum suadentis”, viz. by working on our intellect, and thus upon our will, through the senses and the imagination. (I:106:2; and I:111:2). *Finally, they are not separated from us after death, but remain with us in heaven, not, however, to help us attain salvation, but “ad aliquam illustrationem” (I:108:7, ad 3am). **
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Creation cannot be infinite.

That doesn’t say they aren’t assigned to guard other souls after we die.
 
I would like to add I’ve always felt that a major part of our Guardian’s commission is to protect us from physical harm.

**Psalm 91: 11 **For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

In eternity I will be with my Angel. I know that because I will have serious influence with him and be able to persuade him to stay with me. 1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? :rolleyes: just sayin
 
Paleocon said:
What is the purpose of a guardian angel? To guard a soul against the forces of Hell.

Once a person is dead, regardless of whether there is any special relationship in Heaven, they cannot continue to be our guardians there, by definition. I see no reason to believe they wouldn’t be assigned to guard some other soul. To say they aren’t would mean that “guardian” is function they fulfill only for a short time.
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How significant is time in the Kingdom? No, not the magic one on Disney property, the kingdom of God.

I would suggest that to objectify our relationship with our Guardian Angel is a dangerous path to tread.

God has formed us and counted every hair on our head, and our Guardian Angel would know that God has created us specially. What part of God’s providence would lead to an understanding that once we might enter heaven this would be the state of “unemployment” for our Guardian Angel? I understand this as a very worldly depiction of a relationship with another person that God has specially ordained from the beginning of Creation.
 
Paleocon said:
Creation cannot be infinite.

That doesn’t say they aren’t assigned to guard other souls after we die.
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What part of church teaching might lead you to believe that Creation cannot be infinite?
 
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