What about our Guardian Angels?

[dje101]

Coming from a protestant background, I had never heard my pastors talk about having a Guardian Angel. What is the CC teaching on this subject? I think that the idea is kind of cool. And I only know of one verse in the NT that speaks to the topic. Thanks!

 

[FCEGM]

Here’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on angels in general and guardian angels specifically:

I. THE ANGELS
The existence of angels - a truth of faith
328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

Who are they?
329 St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit’, from what they do, ‘angel.’”[188] With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word”.[189]

330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness.[190]

Christ “with all his angels”
331 Christ is the centre of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. . "[191] They belong to him because they were created through and for him: “for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.”[192] They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?”[193]

332 Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham’s hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples.[194] Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.[195]

333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God “brings the firstborn into the world, he says: ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’”[196] Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise: “Glory to God in the highest!”[197] They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been.[198] Again, it is the angels who “evangelize” by proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrection.[199] They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgement.[200]

The angels in the life of the Church
334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.[201]

335 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the Roman Canon’s Supplices te rogamus. . .“Almighty God, we pray that your angel…”]; in the funeral liturgy’s In Paradisum deducant te angeli. . .“May the angels lead you into Paradise. . .”]). Moreover, in the “Cherubic Hymn” of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).

336 From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.[202] “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”[203] Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Coming from a Protestant background, you will certainly appreciate some of the Biblical indicators that people have angels assigned to them:*Matthew 18:10 See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven

Acts 12:14-15 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” *“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.*I also happened to do a talk last year on angels if you want to hear it—there is a part on guardian angels. I also used much of Pope John Paul II’s teaching on Angels from 1986.

 

[Arch_Angel]

Coming from a protestant background, I had never heard my pastors talk about having a Guardian Angel. What is the CC teaching on this subject? I think that the idea is kind of cool. And I only know of one verse in the NT that speaks to the topic. Thanks!

You’ll like this video about angels from Arch Bishop Fulton Sheen (I think there’s 3 parts). If you have never seen any of his videos, he’s simply one of the greatest American icons of the Catholic Faith and at one point had the most popular TV show in the US! Anyway, enjoy!

youtube.com/watch?v=OW7Ti9bkqi8

 

[EricFilmer]

Just to add to what has already been posted, the Church emphasizes the reality of and the importance of guardian angels by designating Oct. 2 on the liturgical calendar as the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

 

[brb3]

As a former Protestant I knew very little about our ‘personal’ angels. Topic was never discussedl. Our discussions on angels only related to their bibical annunciations & visible appearings. We were never taught to really believe in G.A. — even as children.

It is very heartening to see what the CC teaches on the subject. Just in the past month I had one supernatural sign and another miraculous recovery/avoidance from a potentially fatal car accident. That certainly got my attention and caused me to look into what the CC teaches on the topic.

I’m now firmly convinced that we each have a Guardian Angel … and they can absolutely intervene and assist us in miraculous ways. We will probably never visibly see or hear them … but, they certainly can make their presence know to us. They can affect our lives both physically and spiritually. Teach your kids/students they are very real. As adults we also need to appreaciate our assigned guardian … and to thank them on daily basis. Guardian angels can be very instrumental in helping us Persevere … as they fortify our Faith in God, give us protection, solidify in our minds that God sees to every minor detail in our lives, and they will hopefully usher us to the Throne of God on our last day.

So Sign the Cross over yourself when you initiate every travel event … and thank yours every nite before lights out.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I know without a doubt that my guardian angel kept me alive so I could revert back to The One True Church after my 1st son was born!!!

I made so many mistakes while I was walking away from the Church…but something always stopped me just before I went over the edge of the cliff…I used to think it was luck, now I know better!

Thank you, my guardian angel! I don’t need or want to know your name because I am sure I couldn’t pronounce it properly anyway!