Guardian Angels

                  

The belief in Guardian Angels appears in the Old Testament, although it is not specifically articulated. The belief that angels can be guides and intercessors for men appears in the books of Job and Daniel where angels seem to be assigned to certain countries. In the Gospel, Jesus says of children: "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." This is often understood to mean that children are protected by guardian angels. The fathers of the Church had differing views on the Guardian Angels. The first Christian theologian to outline a specific scheme for guardian angels was Honorius. He said that every soul was assigned a guardian angel the moment it was put into a body. St Thomas Aquinas agreed with Honorius and specified that it was the lowest order of angels who served as guardians. Saints Jerome and Basil of Caesarea argued that sin drove the angels away. Guardian angels appear in literary works throughout the medieval and renaissance periods. 

Popes have always invoked the protection of their Guardian Angels. Pope Pius XI recalled in one of his audiences that he relied on his Guardian Angel’s help when confronting the likes of Hitler and Mussolini. Pope John XXIII in a private conversation with a Canadian bishop attributed the idea of calling an ecumenical council to his Guardian Angel - it was via his Angel that God gave him the inspiration to convene Vatican Council II, which started October 11, 1962, 58 years ago. One can also name your own Guardian Angels, as I have personally done when I called mine Stephen. Yes, Stephen has been very good to me, protecting me from danger and saving me from near-accidents and who knows what else.
PRAYER: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Miniature sculpture at Mt. Carmel Church, Valletta

Always looking for practical ways to develop our spirituality in the craziness of ordinary life, here is a short exercise you can do to engage your angel during your prayer time.

1. Find a quiet place. No cell-phone, No TV, No Internet.

2. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, ask Jesus to bless your prayer, and then imagine your guardian angel by your side. You’re going to have to use your imagination to do this, but in time you’ll begin to feel more at peace

3. When you’re ready, quietly say: “Guardian angel, pray with me. Lead me closer to God. Protect me and give me direction throughout the day.”

4. Then talk to your angel about your day — your worries, your dreams, your hopes. Ask for guidance. Ask for support. Ask for assistance in making a decision. And then recite the Lord’s Prayer with your angel. Really imagine that your angel is praying those words with you. Talk to your Guardian Angel using his/her name.