October 2 – Feast of the Guardian Angels

How great is God’s mercy and compassion that he gives each human person a guardian angel to protect and guide them. Angels are pure spirit beings who were created by God. In Catholic theology there is a hierarchy of nine choirs of angels, each choir is assigned a different task.

St. Josemaria used to greet the guardian angel of every person he met. St. Padre Pio could see his angel. Both of these saints as well as many others received physical help from their angels.

When God freed the Israelites from captivity in Egypt and  gave them instructions on conquering the land of Canaan, he told them:

“Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him…”

– Ex. 22:20-21

He  tells us, who were freed from captivity to sin and satan, the same thing.

When I was in the hospital a few years ago about to be discharged and placed in a sketchy nursing home,  I received a card the same. Printed on the card were those very words from Exodus. What a consolation for me and my family!

The gift of our guardian angels  is something that we’ll never be able to appreciate fully on this earth… how graciously merciful God is then, that he assigns our guardian angels to us unto all eternity—as long as we don’t end up in hell. Let us pray that we grow in devotion to our angels and invoke their assistance. Our angel brought us this far, they’ll never let us down now!

This day God sends me Strength as my guardian
Might to uphold me, Wisdom as guide.
Your eyes are watchful, Your ears are listening
Your lips are speaking, Friend at my side.

God’s way is my way, God’s shield is round me
God’s host defends me, saving from ill.
Angels of heaven drive from me always
all that would harm me, stand at my side.

– St. Patrick’s Lorica