Heavenly Helpers

The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels 

https://catholicreadings.org/holy-guardian-angels/

 

This memorial began as a local feast celebration but thereafter, in 1607, Pope Paul V released the papal decree that placed it in the General Roman Calendar. That papal decree was cosigned by Robert Bellarmine, an Italian Jesuit Cardinal.

 

Initially, it was ranked as a double. Pope Clement X elevated it to an obligatory double and Pope Leo XIII raised the feast further to the rank of a double major. In 1976, the memorial has been ranked an obligatory memorial.

 

Pope Pius VI granted a partial indulgence on October 2 1795, to penitants who, with remorse, devotion, and contrite hearts, say this Guardian Angel prayer.

 

The Prayer to The Guardian Angel

 

“Angel of God, my guardian dear

To whom God’s love commits me here

Ever this day be at my side

To light and guard

Rule and guide. Amen.

 

The Holy Guardian Angels are the special angels assigned to humans by God, to watch over all mankind and over individual human beings from grave danger from birth until death.

 

St. Thomas Aquinas says that Angels are spiritual creatures who unceasingly glorify God and who work together to serve God’s saving plans for mankind. Besides each person who believes in God, stands an angel who acts as a guard, guide, protector and shepherd helping him to live according to God’s Holy will.

 

The angels most often protect us from physical danger and also from committing sin. St John Bosco inspired us by stating that whenever we find ourselves on the verge of committing sin, we should invoke the help of our guardian angels who are always ready to help us. He also says, “Ignore the devil and fear him not, for he trembles and flees at the sight of your guardian angel.”

 

The angels also come to our aid at the time of our death. St Alphonsus Liguori tells us that, “The powers of hell will launch an attack on the dying Christian; but his guardian angel together with St Michael, our defender, and patron saints will come to his rescue and make their last combat with the devils.“

 

Quotes form Saints about our guardian angels:

 

"The devil writes down our sins—our guardian angel all our merits. Labor that the guardian angel's book may be full, and the devil's empty."
~ St. John Vianney

"What a comfort to you it is to know that when we go out of the house, we are never alone en route. "
~ St. John Vianney

"Our guardian angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought often to invoke them."
~ St. John Vianney

"If you find it impossible to pray, hide behind your good angel and charge him to pray in your stead."
~ St. John Vianney

"When tempted, invoke your angel. He is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him; he trembles and flees at the sight of your guardian angel."
~ St. John Bosco

"How many people in mortal sin were saved from death by their angel, that they might have a chance for confession!"
~ St. John Bosco

"Pray to your guardian angel. Invoke his aid if you should find yourself in any serious danger of body or soul, and I assure you that he will help and protect you."
~ St. John Bosco