According to Christian tradition, each one of us has a Guardian Angel, who accompanies us from the moment of our birth until the moment of our death, remaining at our side at every moment of our lives. The idea of a spirit, a supernatural entity that follows and watches over every human being was already present in other Greek religions and philosophies. In the Old Testament we read that God is surrounded by a veritable court of heavenly figures who worship him and perform actions in his name. Already in these ancient books we find frequent references to the angels sent by God as protectors of people and individuals, as well as messengers. In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to respect even the smallest and most humble, referring to their angels who watch over them from heaven and contemplate the face of God at all times.
The Guardian Angel is therefore linked to all those who live in the grace of God
The Fathers of the Church, such as Tertullian, St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. John Chrysostom, St. Jerome and St. Gregory of Nysostom, supported the existence of a guardian angel for each person, and although there has not yet been any dogmatic formulation concerning this figure, already during the Council of Trent (1545-1563) it was affirmed that each human being had his own angel.
From the 17th century onwards, popular devotion spread and Pope Paul V included the feast of the guardian angels in the calendar.
Even in sacred representations and especially in images of popular devotion, Guardian Angels began to appear, usually depicted in the act of protecting children from evil. In fact, it is especially on the part of children that we are encouraged to dialogue with our Guardian Angel and to address our prayers to him. As this blind trust, this unconditional love for an invisible but extraordinarily reassuring presence develops, it is lost.
This is what we must remember to find it next to us
Guardian angels exist
The Gospel affirms it, the Scriptures support it in countless examples and episodes. The Catechism teaches us from an early age to feel this presence at our side and to trust it.
Our Guardian Angel has no name
... or, if he has one, it's not up to us to establish it. In the Scriptures are mentioned the
AngelsNames, such as Michael, Raphael, Gabriel. Any other name given to these heavenly creatures is not documented or confirmed by the Church, and as such it is inappropriate to claim to use it for our Angel, especially by using, to determine it, the month of birth or other imaginative methods.
Angels have always existed
Our Guardian Angel is not created with us at the moment of our birth. He has always existed, from the moment God created all angels. It was a single episode, a single moment when God's will created all the angels, by the thousands. Later, God did not create any more angels.
There is an angelic hierarchy and not all angels are destined to become guardian angels.
Angels also differ in their tasks and especially in their position in heaven in relation to God. Some angels in particular are selected to pass a test and, if they pass, they are called Guardian Angels. When a child is born, one of these angels is chosen to stand by its side until death and beyond.
We all have one...and only one
We can't give it up, we can't share it with anyone. In this respect too, the Scriptures are rich in references and quotations.
Our Angel guides us on the way to Heaven
Our Angel cannot force us to follow the path of goodness. He cannot decide for us, he cannot impose choices on us. We are and remain free. But his role is precious, important. As a silent and trustworthy counsellor, he remains at our side, trying to advise us for the best, to suggest the right path to follow, to obtain salvation, to deserve Paradise, above all to be good and good Christians.
Our Angel never abandons us
In this life and in the next, we will know that we can count on him, on this invisible and special friend, who never leaves us alone.
Our Angel is not the spirit of a dead man.
Although it is nice to think that when someone we love dies, he becomes an Angel, and as such, he comes back to us, unfortunately this is not the case. Our Guardian Angel cannot be someone we have known in life, nor a member of our family who has died prematurely. He has always existed, he is a spiritual presence generated directly by God. That doesn't mean that you love us any less! We remember that God is first and foremost Love.
Our Angel fights at our side with all his strength
We must not think that we have a plump putto playing the harp at our side. Our Angel is a warrior, a strong and courageous fighter, who stands by us in every battle of life and protects us when we are too fragile to do it alone.
Our Guardian Angel is also our personal messenger, responsible for bringing our messages to God, and vice versa.
It is to the angels that God turns to communicate with us. Their task is to make us understand his word and point us in the right direction.
