Do you Believe in Guardian Angels? Have you Experienced the presence of a Guardian Angel anytime anywhere? Think and ponder
Jesus says that each of us has our own personal guardian angel. He states: 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. (Matthew 18:10)
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. (CCC 336)
God has appointed an angel to walk with us during each moment of our lives. He is our inseparable companion, accompanying us throughout our journey, watching over us, and guiding us along the way. He protects us from harm and helps us to grow in our relationship with God.
The primary role of guardian angels is to lead us to everlasting life with God. Since they always behold the Father’s face in heaven, they reflect this divine light in our lives. Although they may at times protect us from physical harm, they are mainly concerned with protecting us from spiritual harm.
Our guardian angels act as God’s messengers. They don’t speak to us with words but through inspirations. They gently direct our hearts and minds to walk along the path that leads to heaven, but they always respect our free will. These angels act like instruments of the Holy Spirit, offering consolation, encouragement, protection, and guidance.
Biblical examples of the presence of Guardian Angels : In the Book of Exodus, God promises Moses the assistance and protection of an angel when entering the desert and traveling to the Promised Land (Exodus 23:20-23).
In Psalm 91 God commissions the angels to protect us.
God will put his angels in charge of you
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones. (Psalm 91:11-12)
When St. Peter was imprisoned bound in chains and heavily guarded ,an angel suddenly appeared to him on the night before his trial. The chains fell off of his wrists and the angel guided Peter past the guards and out of prison. He miraculously freed him and then vanished from sight. Peter’s first response was to run quickly to the house of Mary, the mother of John, where the community had gathered together and were praying for him. They couldn’t believe that he had been freed and was knocking at the door. They responded, “It is his angel,” (Acts 12:6-15).
Experiences of saints with the guardian angels
Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604) used to serve dinner every day to twelve poor people. One evening, he saw a thirteenth person among his guests. It was a beggar he had encountered once before. Gregory had given him his last few coins and a silver platter his mother had given him as a gift. This beggar revealed to him that he was, in fact, an angel sent by God. The angel told Pope Gregory that because of his mercy and love, God had given him the Chair of St. Peter and had sent him to be his guardian for as long as he lived.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), a famous mystic, would care for the well-being of his spiritual sons and daughters with the assistance of that person’s guardian angel. On one occasion, one of his spiritual sons was seriously injured in a car accident. This man’s friend decided to ask Padre Pio to pray for him. When he went to the telegraph office to send him the telegram, he was immediately given a telegram from Padre Pio. In it, the future saint promised to pray for the recovery of his injured spiritual son. After his recovery, they both asked Padre Pio how he could have possibly known of his accident in such a short time. St. Padre Pio responded, “Do you think the Angels go as slowly as the planes?”
Devotion to Our Guardian Angels
The Lord in his mercy has placed beside each of us a companion to accompany us on our journey. Let us always remember our guardian angel and be attentive to his voice. Most of us don’t physically see him or hear him, but he is always present beside us. He is our lifelong companion who guides and protects us each day. It is comforting to know that we are never alone even in the most difficult moments.
On October 2, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Guardian Angels. Let us remember to thank our guardian angels for their love, care and constant prayers to the heavenly Father. Most of us don’t realize just how powerful and faithful a friend he truly is.
Short Prayer to recite Every Morning And Night
“Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day [or night] be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.”
– Gladys Da Silva