Rachel Evans
Catholics believe that God has given each one of them a guardian angel to lead them on the path to salvation. While some Catholics practice a devotion of giving personal names to their guardian angels, the Holy See does not allow this practice and formally discourages it. The Church advises against the desire to know one’s angel’s name, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, God has only revealed the names of three angels in Sacred Scripture: St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and St. Raphael. Secondly, naming another person implies authority over them, and angels are superior to humans. Finally, demons are capable of interfering with attempts to discover an angel's name, and one may receive a misleading name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Naming guardian angels | The Church advises against this practice |
| Reasons | Naming implies authority over the other, God has only revealed the names of three angels (St.) Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael |
| Alternative | Address your angel as "My guardian angel" or "My angel" |
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What You'll Learn
Naming an angel implies authority over them
The Catholic Church teaches that God has given each person a guardian angel to guide and protect them. While it is encouraged to seek the guidance of your guardian angel daily through prayer, the Church advises against trying to discover its name or identity, or assigning a name to it. This is because naming something implies authority over it.
In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam dominion over the animals. As an exercise of this authority, God brought the animals to Adam so that he could name them. However, God did not bring Adam creatures that were of a higher nature than humans, such as angels. Therefore, it is not within our authority to give names to, or find out the names of, creatures that are of a higher created order than us.
Angels are superior to humans, and even though they serve and guide us, they do so because of their superior power. We should not assume a higher place by attempting to name or find out the name of the angels who are assigned to guide and protect us.
While it is natural to want to know your guardian angel's name, as knowing someone's name is often the first step in forming a relationship, it is important to respect the hiddenness of the names these spirits have received from God. We will likely know their names in heaven, so it is something to look forward to! In the meantime, when addressing your angel, simply saying "My guardian angel" or "My angel" is sufficient, as your angel knows exactly who you are speaking to.
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God has revealed the names of only three angels
The Catholic Church teaches that God has given each person a guardian angel to guide and protect them. While it is encouraged to seek the guidance of your guardian angel daily through prayer, the Church advises against trying to discover your angel's name or identity, or assigning a name to them. This is because angels are superior to humans, and giving something or someone a name indicates a level of superiority over them.
According to the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: "The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, whose names are contained in Holy Scripture."
These three angels are the only ones whose names are revealed in the Bible. Gabriel is known for delivering important messages to God's people, such as revealing to Mary that she would bear the Christ Child. Raphael is known for providing healing and guidance to the faithful, such as aiding Tobias and Sarah. Michael is described as a "great prince" and a powerful warrior who fights against evil spiritual forces.
While humans may never know their guardian angel's name during their lifetime, it is comforting to know that each person has a dedicated angel guiding and protecting them. As St. John Vianney said, "Someday, in heaven, you will know your angel’s most holy name. It’s just one more thing to look forward to!"
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Evil spirits can interfere and mislead
Evil spirits, often referred to as "unclean spirits", "demons", or "deceiving spirits", are malevolent supernatural beings that work against God. They are subject to God's rule and can be used by Him to carry out His plans and purposes, such as in the case of Abimelech where God used an evil spirit to avenge the murder of Gideon's sons.
These spirits can interfere and mislead humans, as they are fully capable of interfering with attempts to discover an angel's name. They can provide misleading names, and their intention may be to inflict physical harm, disability, and sickness, or moral corruption. The Bible mentions that evil spirits may cause one to experience fits of temper and despair, as seen in the case of Saul.
Additionally, evil spirits can bring about human captivity, ensnaring individuals with their evil deeds and binding them in sin. They may also suggest thoughts, plans, or desires that deviate from the truth, leading to delusion and false appearances.
To protect oneself from such interference and misleading influences, it is recommended to seek guidance from one's guardian angel through prayer and to follow their lead. While it is natural to want to know one's angel's name, the Church advises against this practice, as angels are superior to humans and naming them may indicate a sense of superiority.
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Angels are superior to humans
Angels are considered superior to humans in several ways. Firstly, they are spirit beings, lacking physical bodies, and therefore do not experience physical suffering, harm, or death as humans do. This spiritual nature grants angels greater power and strength than humans, as described in 2 Peter 2:11. They are swift and subtle in carrying out God's will, as stated in Hebrews 1:7: "He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire".
Angels were created as holy creatures, while humans are born with a sin nature. Angels possess intelligence, morality, and spirituality, and they worship God. They have greater knowledge and a higher rank than humans, as indicated in Hebrews 2:7-9 and Mark 13:32.
Additionally, angels serve a different purpose than humans. They are God's messengers, sent to protect His people, deliver them from danger, transmit divine messages, provide guidance, and encourage believers. They are described in the Bible as having superhuman characteristics, such as "eyes like flaming torches" and "legs like fiery pillars" (Daniel 10:5-7).
While humans will eventually join angels in the service and worship of God in their resurrected bodies, as described by Jesus in the Kingdom, this does not imply equality between the two. In fact, according to 1 Corinthians, humans will even judge fallen angels during the Millennial Kingdom when Christ reigns over the world.
The superiority of angels over humans is further emphasized by the understanding that naming something indicates a level of superiority. In the case of angels, God has chosen not to reveal their names to humans, and the Church advises against humans naming their guardian angels. This anonymity underscores the angels' higher status and the fact that their names are mysterious and holy.
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You will learn their name in heaven
The Catholic Church advises against trying to discover the name or identity of one's guardian angel or assigning a name to them. This is because angels are superior to humans, and naming them would indicate some superiority over them. In the ancient, biblical world, and even in many places today, a name has a deeper meaning and describes the essence of a person.
However, it is important to note that angels do have names, and these names are holy and mysterious. While it is not for humans to know their guardian angel's name during their lifetime, it is something to look forward to learning in heaven. This belief is supported by a quote from Pastor Sam Storms:
> There is an identity you have in God, reflected in your new name, that transcends whatever shame or regret or disappointment is wrapped up in who you are now. There is a very private and personal place of intimacy with him that brings hope and freedom and joy that none can touch or taint or steal away.
The idea of receiving a new name in heaven is also mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the passage about receiving a white stone with a new name written on it, so personal that only the receiver will know it. While Bible scholars do not agree on the exact meaning or significance of this new name, it is generally believed to be a blessing and a gift from Jesus, signifying intimacy and love for those who follow Him.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Church advises against naming your guardian angel. God has only revealed the names of three angels in Sacred Scripture: St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and St. Raphael. It is irreverent to try and discover the names of other angels.
Naming another being implies authority over them. Humans are lower than angels, so it is not our place to assume a higher position by naming them.
You can address your guardian angel by saying "My guardian angel" or "My angel". Your angel doesn't need to know your name to do its job, and it is always attentive to you.
The Church teaches that God has given each person a guardian angel to guide and protect them on the path to salvation.
