Be Familiar with the Angels ~ St. Francis de Sales

Guardian Angels (Memorial)

Each person on earth has a guardian angel who watches over him and helps him to attain his salvation. Angelical guardianship begins at the moment of birth; prior to this, the child is protected by the mother's guardian angel. This protection continues throughout our whole life and ceases only when our probation on earth ends, namely, at the moment of death. Our guardian angel accompanies our soul to purgatory or heaven, and becomes our coheir in the heavenly kingdom.

The existence of angels - a truth of faith (CCC 328 ~ 333)

328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

Who are they?

329 St. Augustine says: "'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.'"188 With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word".189

330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.190

Christ "with all his angels"

331 Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. . "191 They belong to him because they were created throughand for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him."192 They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?"193

332 Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples.194 Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.195

333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"196 Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!"197 They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been.198 Again, it is the angels who "evangelize" by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection.199 They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.200

O God, who in your unfathomable providence are pleased to send your holy Angels to guard us, hear our supplication as we cry to you, that we may always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Prayer to Guardian Angel

Angel of God 

My guardian dear 

To Whom His love 

Commits me here 

Ever this day 

Be at my side 

To light and guard 

To rule and guide. 

Amen

Wednesday, 2 October, 2013
Guardian Angels (Memorial)

Reading

Exodus 23: 20 - 23
20	"Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.
21	Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him.
22	"But if you hearken attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
23	"When my angel goes before you, and brings you in to the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Per'izzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jeb'usites, and I blot them out,

Psalm

Psalms 91: 1 - 6, 10 - 11
1	He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
2	will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
3	For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence;
4	he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5	You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6	nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
10	no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
11	For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.

Gospel

Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10
1	At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2	And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them,
3	and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4	Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5	"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me;
10	"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.