Our Guardian Angels

by Catherine Fournier

Feast Day: October 2
Patron: Everyone
Symbol: Angel

Young Families:

God created the angels to praise Him in Heaven, to lead the fight against Satan and to guide and protect us. Some of these angels are the Guardian Angels, they guard us against evil, and as God's messengers, tell us what God wants us to do.

Every person in the world has an angel whose only job is to watch over them, pray for them to God and keep them safe from sin and evil. If we listen well, our angel will keep our soul from sin and protect our body from harm. Have you ever fallen down, or nearly been hurt some other way, and someone said "Your Guardian Angel is watching over you."?

Our Guardian Angel loves us because God loves us. He loves us because we are so precious to God that His only Son, Jesus died on the Cross to save us. Our angel wants us to go to Heaven, to live with God forever. We can ask our Guardian angel for help to save our souls, and by saying the prayer, we will remind ourselves to keep listening for the guidance of our own special angel.

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, Through whom God's love protects me here; Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide."

Practiced Families:

As discussed in Archangels, the angels, created by God, are pure spirits, gifted with wisdom, will, and beauty. They continuously praise God and serve Him as messengers, intermediaries and guardians of men on earth. Tradition teaches that they are divided into a hierachical structure: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones; Dominations, Principalities and Powers; Virtues, Archangels and Angels. This structure resembles the hierarchy, on earth in time, of animals, man, and God.

Those angels charged with the protection and defense of human souls are called Guardian Angels. Faith and tradition tell us that each individual in time has a Guardian Angel who watches over him throughout the whole course of his life and rejoices with him when he reaches Heaven. It is also generally accepted that communities, the Church, diocese and nations (because these too, in a sense, are persons with an unique identity) have angels assigned to them.

Guardian Angels defend their charges against the 'wickedness and snares of the devil'. They work unceasingly to preserve us from sin and the occasions of sin. They cannot interfere or over-ride our free will, but their prayers and spiritual action serves to point out the good choices whenever occasion arises. They can prod our conscience to become better informed, can offer us strength in the face of temptation, suggest good thought and holy desires, offer our prayers to God, and above all, lead us to Heaven at the hour of our death. If we fall, they help us rise again, gifted with patience and love, they never give up.

Experienced Families:

What better source for teaching about our Guardian Angels that Pope John Paul II's series of talks on Angels given at General Audiences at Saint Peter's Rome between July 9 and August 20, 1986.

Creator of All Things, Seen and Unseen

Creator of the Angels Who Are Free Beings

Creator of Things Unseen�the Angels

Angels Participate in the History of Salvation

The Fall of the Rebellious Angels

Christ's Victory Conquers Evil

Prayers to the Angels of God

Guardian Angel Prayer - Old:

O Holy Angel, attendant of my wretched soul and of mine afflicted life, forsake me not, a sinner, neither depart from me for mine inconstancy. Give no place to the evil demon to subdue me with the oppression of this mortal body; but take me by my wretched and outstretched hand, and lead me in the way of salvation.
Yea, O holy Angel of God, the guardian and protector of my hapless soul and body, forgive me all things whatsoever wherewith I have troubled thee, all the days of my life, and if I have sinned in anything this day.

Shelter me in this present night, and keep me from every affront of the enemy, lest I anger God by any sin; and intercede with the Lord in my behalf, that He might strengthen me in the fear of Him, and make me a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.

A Mother's Prayer to the Guardian Angels of her children

I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them.
At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection.
Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul.
Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company. Amen

Prayer to Our Holy Guardian Angels

Heavenly Father, Your infinite love for us has chosen a blessed angel in heaven and appointed him our guide during this earthly pilgrimage. Accept our thanks for so great a blessing.
Grant that we may experience the assistance of our holy protector in all our necessities. And you, holy, loving angel and guide, watch over us with all the tenderness of your angelic heart.
Keep us always on the way that leads to heaven, and cease not to pray for us until we have attained our final destiny, eternal salvation. Then we shall love you for all eternity. We shall praise and glorify you unceasingly for all the good you have done for us while here on earth.
Especially be a faithful and watchful protector of our children. Take our place, and supply what may be wanting to us through human frailty, short-sightedness, or sinful neglect.
Lighten, O you perfect servants of God, our heavy task. Guide our children, that they may become like unto Jesus, may imitate Him faithfully, and persevere till they attain eternal life. Amen

Another Prayer to the Guardian Angels

My good Angel, Thou comest from heaven; God has sent thee to take care of me. Oh, shelter me under thy wings. Lighten my path, direct my steps.
Do not leave me, stay quite near me and defend me against the spirit of evil. But above all come to my help in the last struggle of my life.
Deliver my soul so that with thee it may praise, love and contemplate the goodness of God forever and ever. Amen

LITANY OF THE HOLY ANGEL

LORD, have mercy,
CHRIST, have mercy
LORD, have mercy
CHRIST, hear us
CHRIST, graciously hear us
GOD the FATHER, Creator of the Angels. have mercy on us
GOD the SON, Lord of the Angels
GOD the HOLY SPIRIT, Life of the Angels
HOLY TRINITY, delight of all Angels

Holy MARY,pray for us
Queen of Angels,
All you Choirs of blessed spirits,
Holy Seraphim, Angels of Love
Holy Cherubim, Angels of the Word,
Holy Thrones, Angels of Life,
Holy Angels of Adoration,
Holy Dominations,
Holy Powers,
Holy Principalities,
Holy Virtues,
Holy Archangel Michael,pray for us.
Conqueror of Lucifer,
Angel of Faith and humility,
Guardian of the Anointing of the Sick,
Patron of the Dying,
Prince of the heavenly hosts,
Guide of souls to the judgement seat of GOD.

Holy Archangel Gabriel,
Angel of the Incarnation,
Faithful Messenger of GOD,
Angel of Hope and of Peace,
Protector of all servants and handmaids of GOD,
Guardian of Baptism,
Patron of Priests,

Holy Archangel Raphael,
Angel of divine love,
Conqueror of the hellish fiend,
Helper in great distress,
Angel of suffering and of healing,
Patron of physicians, wanderers and travelers,

All holy Archangels,
Angels of service before the throne of GOD,
Angels of service for mankind,
Holy Guardian Angels,
Helpers in all our needs,
Light in all darkness,
Support in all danger,

Admonishers of our consciences,

Intercessors before the throne of GOD, pray for us.

Shield of defence against evil spirits,
Our constant companions,
Our safest Guides,
Our truest Friends,
Our wisest Counselors,
Our models of prompt obedience,
Comforters in abandonment,
Mirrors of humility and sincerity,
Angels of our families,
Angels of our priests and pastors,

Angels of our children,
Angels of our home and country,
Angels of Holy Mother the Church,
All you Holy Angels,
During life, assist us
In death, assist us
In heaven, we shall be grateful to you!

Lamb of GOD, Who take away the sins of the world,spare us, o Lord!
Lamb of GOD, Who take away the sins of the World, graciously hear us, o Lord!
Lamb of GOD, Who take away the sins of the World, have mercy on us!

CHRIST, hear us
CHRIST, graciously hear us. . .
Lord have mercy. . .

Priest: GOD has given His Angel charge over you,
Congregation: To guard you in all your ways.
Let us pray: Almighty, eternal GOD, grant us the help of Your heavenly Hosts that we may be preserved from the terrible assaults of the evil one by the Precious Blood of our Lord JESUS CHRIST and the intercession of the most Blessed and Immaculate Virgin MARY, so that free from all adversity we may serve you again in peace. Through CHRIST our Lord. Amen.

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