Deacon's Corner: Are there Guardian Angels? Of course!
October 2, 2022, 12:00 PM
The Church teaches that each of us has our very own Guardian Angel. Their roles are probably the most personal among the missions of Angels. Scripture gives us some insight. Jesus mentions the Angels of the children around Him (Matt 18:10) and Acts 12:6-11 mentions St. Peter’s Angel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “From its beginning until death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd …” (CCC #336).

St. Thomas Aquinas said people receive their Guardian Angels at birth and their role expands at Baptism. The Fathers of the Church compiled a “job description” that included many duties to guide people through their lives and to protect them from evil. Many Popes have written about their Guardian Angels. Pope Pius XII said he prayed to his Guardian Angel every day. Pope St. John XXIII advised priests to pray to their Guardian Angels before they prayed their daily Liturgy of the Hours. Pope St. John Paul II gave a series of six conferences in St. Peter’s Square about the existence, mission, and role of the Angels.

We have a prayer to our Guardian Angel: Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Amen. The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2nd. Now you know!