Reflection: Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us!

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Every person on earth has a guardian angel who watches over him at the moment of birth. Prior to birth, the child is protected by the mother's guardian angel. The protection of our guardian angel continues throughout our whole life until the moment of death. Our guardian angel accompanies the soul to purgatory or heaven, and becomes our coheir in the heavenly kingdom.

See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.  Exodus 23:20

Guardian Angels are servants and messengers from God. "Angel" in Greek means messenger. In unseen ways, the angels help us on our earthly pilgrimage by assisting us in work and study, helping us in temptation and protecting us from physical danger. The role of the guardian angel is to guide us to good thoughts, works and words, and to preserve us from evil.

Sacred Scripture and Church's tradition tells us that the Angel is a creature who stands before God, oriented to God with his whole being. They exist in Him and for Him. Angels connect God to man. Angels are "pure spirits" and do not possess anything that is material.

"The angels have five duties. The first is to continually sing hymns and praises to their Creator. The second duty is to present the prayers of mortals to God and commend them with their petitions. The third duty consists in their being sent as messengers to declare what God wants to declare. The fourth duty is protecting men whether as individuals or groups. The last duty is to serve as soldiers and armed leaders. Let good men love their fellow citizens, the angels." Saint Robert Bellarmine

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith (328)."

There have been many times in my life when I have felt the presence of my guardian angel's protection, as well as the presence of the guardian angels of my loved ones. This prayer ministry began through prayers for a precious little baby, Lily Grace. When she needed heart surgery as an infant, I sensed Our Blessed Mother's presence, that she was standing over her in the operating room, surrounded by angels. It brought me great comfort knowing her guardian angel and Mother Mary and her angels had Lily Grace under her loving protection.

Talk to your guardian angel. When you are facing a challenge with a person or a situation, send your guardian angel ahead of you to the other person's guardian angel and ask your guardian angel to be with you guiding you and the others in the situation. Call upon the help of your guardian angel who is always with you to guard, protect and guide you wherever you go and whatever you do.

Holy Guardian Angels, protect our families and all those for whom we pray.