Rachel Evans
Guardian angels are spiritual, non-corporeal beings that are mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, angels are servants and messengers of God, and they glorify God without ceasing. The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2. While the belief in guardian angels can be traced back to antiquity, with pagans, Neo-Platonists, Babylonians, and Assyrians all holding this belief, the first time angels are mentioned in the Bible as regularly guarding individual humans is in the Gospel of Matthew. In this passage, Jesus refers to these little ones, which appear to refer to Christians, indicating a link between Christians and angels who guard them. While the Catholic Church has never defined that every individual soul has a guardian angel, it is considered the mind of the Church. It is believed by some that individuals receive a guardian angel from the moment of their conception or birth, and these angels are thought to help and protect humans throughout their lives.
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What You'll Learn
- The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2
- Guardian angels are believed to help humans throughout their lives
- They are thought to be present from birth until death
- Guardian angels are said to be able to act upon our senses and imaginations
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that angels are servants and messengers of God
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that angels are spiritual, non-corporeal beings, and their existence is a truth of faith. The Church celebrates and honours all aspects of the Divine Work, including angels.
The idea that every soul has a guardian angel has long been accepted by the Church, although it is not an article of faith. The guardian angel is believed to watch over and guide each person on earth, helping them attain salvation. This belief can be traced back to antiquity, with pagans, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Neo-Platonists all holding similar beliefs. The Catechism of the Catholic Church further states that from birth until death, humans are surrounded by the protection and intercession of angels, particularly their guardian angel.
Guardian angels are believed to help in many ways, including protecting from physical danger and providing guidance in regard to sin. They are also thought to help at the end of life, accompanying the soul to purgatory or heaven. Additionally, communities of human beings also have guardian angels, such as St. Michael, the angel of Israel. On the Feast of the Guardian Angels, the Church honours both personal guardian angels and those of communities.
The Feast of the Guardian Angels first appeared in Spain during the 16th century and was later extended to the universal Church in 1670. The celebration includes prayers and hymns praising God and the angels, such as the Entrance Antiphon, "Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever."
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Guardian angels are believed to help humans throughout their lives
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that guardian angels help humans throughout their lives, from birth until death. The Catechism also states that angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and carry out His saving plans for other creatures.
The belief in guardian angels can be traced back to antiquity, with pagans like Menander and Plutarch, as well as Neo-Platonists like Plotinus, holding this belief. It was also a common belief among the Babylonians and Assyrians, as evidenced by their monuments and ancient texts.
In the Bible, the concept of guardian angels is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, angels are depicted as God's ministers, carrying out His commands and sometimes given special commissions regarding humans and their affairs. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of guardian angels in the Gospel of Matthew, saying, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven."
According to St. Jerome, each person has "from his birth, an angel commissioned to guard it." Guardian angels are believed to act upon our senses and imaginations but not upon our wills. They are also thought to have the ability to protect us from physical danger and help us in regard to sin.
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2, honoring the belief in these heavenly beings and their role in guiding and protecting humans throughout their lives.
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They are thought to be present from birth until death
Guardian angels are thought to be present from birth until death. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 336) teaches that "from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by [the angels’] watchful care and intercession". This belief in guardian angels can be traced back to antiquity, with pagans, Neo-Platonists, Babylonians, and Assyrians all holding similar beliefs. The idea of guardian angels is also present in the Bible, with references to angelic guardians in the Book of Genesis and the Gospel of Matthew.
According to St. Basil, "every soul that cometh into the world receives a guardian spirit". This belief is shared by St. Chrysostom, who holds that these guardian angels can act upon our senses and imaginations, but not our wills. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting St. Basil, says that "beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life". Pope Saint John Paul II also taught that "God has entrusted to the angels a ministry in favor of people".
Guardian angels are thought to help and protect humans throughout their lives, and they are especially important at the end of life. St. Alphonsus Liguori said, "The powers of hell will assail the dying Christian, but his guardian angel will come to console him". Guardian angels are also believed to have unlimited access to God's throne room and to be present in the Beatific Vision, worshipping God.
While the Church has never defined that every individual soul has a guardian angel, it is considered the "mind of the Church". Catholics believe that guardian angels are for everyone, not just children, and that these angels help guide people to the Kingdom of Heaven. While it is not recommended to try and communicate with or name one's guardian angel, many Catholics believe that angels communicate with humans daily and that these communications can be discerned.
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Guardian angels are said to be able to act upon our senses and imaginations
The idea of guardian angels is deeply rooted in Catholic doctrine and tradition. While the Church has never defined that every individual soul has a guardian angel, it is considered the "mind of the Church". The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that from birth until death, human life is accompanied by the watchful care and intercession of guardian angels.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, in Summa Theologiae, provides the most detailed explanation of guardian angels' functions. He asserts that every person, regardless of baptism, receives an angel at birth. These angels are not reassigned but are dedicated to a single person. Aquinas' understanding aligns with the belief that guardian angels help lead us to the Kingdom of Heaven if we so desire.
The concept of guardian angels is not unique to Christianity. It can be traced throughout antiquity, including pagan, Neo-Platonic, Babylonian, and Assyrian beliefs. In the Bible, the doctrine of guardian angels is discernible, with angels delivering Lot from danger, leading the host of Israel, and accompanying Moses.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that angels are servants and messengers of God
The Catechism, in paragraphs 329-330, quotes St. Augustine, who distinguishes between the nature and function of angels:
> "'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.'"
Angels are described as having intellect and will, being personal and immortal, and surpassing all visible creatures in perfection. They are mighty beings who obey God's commands and always behold His face in heaven. This belief in their existence is considered a truth of faith, as they are mentioned throughout the Bible, playing a role in both the Old and New Testaments.
Guardian angels, a specific type of angel, are believed to be assigned to humans, guiding and protecting them throughout their lives, from birth until death. This concept is supported by various passages in the Bible, such as the mention of cherubim guarding the way to the tree of life in Genesis 3:24. While the idea of a guardian angel for every individual has not been officially defined by the Church, it is considered part of its "mind."
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2, honouring the belief in these heavenly beings and their role in protecting and guiding humanity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics believe that everyone has a guardian angel, not just the baptized.
Catholics believe that a guardian angel is assigned to every soul that comes into the world from the moment of their conception.
Guardian angels help guide us to the Kingdom of Heaven. They also protect us from physical danger and help us in regard to sin.
