Thursday, October 2, 2008

Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels


I have an angel story that I may write about sometime. I have seen and been helped by an angel, as has my husband. They usually don't seem out of the ordinary and it isn't until after the fact that you realize what you have encountered was an angel. I love angel stories, as a matter of fact my favorite one was featured on Spirit Daily, about a woman who wanted to know her guardian angel's name and ended up actually meeting him one day during Adoration. I can't find the link to the story but it was amazing.

In one of my prayer books, we are told that it is a good habit to pray seven "Glory Be's" every day in thanksgiving and recognition of our Guardian Angel. I have found that it is a great way to start the day, right after the Morning Offering prayer. I also try to pray seven "Glory Be's" for my children's and my husband's guardian angels as well.

One day, when my daughter was a newborn, I was downstairs in the laundry room and heard her crying. I asked her guardian angel to watch over her until I could get back up there to get her. Just a few minutes later, I came up the stairs to find her sleeping in her crib while her musical mobile was playing. It had just been wound up, but not by me. I was the only one home, so I figured it was her angel and I wasn't in the least surprised by it.

My son saw angels on the altar during Mass when he was two. He called them birds, why are they flying around Father? Again, I wasn't surprised.

Because I believe in angels. The Bible has numerous accounts of angels helping people.

Sometimes, I imagine my angel sitting in the seat next to me while I'm driving. I even talk to him (I'm not sure if my angel is a he or she but I always think of him as a he).

I am certain my angel is sitting with me when I am at Mass.

At night, I imagine my angel finishing my prayers for me as I drift off to sleep in the middle of saying the Rosary.

The more that we are aware of our guardian angels, the more I believe they are able to help us. They may not be able to change our free will, but I do think they can inspire us to make the right choices.

My children have all named their angels. Princess calls hers "Miss Rose", Wild Thing called his "Saint Bird" and The Kid named his "Kara" after a cute girl in his kindergarten class.

This article about the Feast of the Guardian Angels is from Manila Bulletin Online:

Three days after celebrating the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Catholic Church celebrates today the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels.

According to Christian tradition, God assigns to every person a guardian angel whose task is to guide and protect that person from all danger and harm. "How great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it," Saint Jerome said.

In Catholic theology, angels are believed to be messengers of God,announcing His will to the people. At times, they are commissioned to do things pertaining to mundane affairs. In the Old Testament, angels serve as executors of God’s wrath to those who are disobedient and of blessings and deliverance to those who have been faithful to Him (cf. Genesis 28-29). They also serve as guide and protector of humans (cf. Job 33:23-6). In the New Testament, Jesus warns the people not to discredit the little children. "Their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven." (cf. Matthew 18:10).

This feast reminds all Christians of God’s abounding love for all
people. God cares for each one of us.

The opening prayer in the liturgy tells us that God, out of His
providence sent His angels to watch over us. Through our guardian angels, we feel God’s comforting presence and goodness. In response to God’s love and generosity, let us do His will and faithfully follow His commandments. We can do this with the help and guidance of our guardian angels.

"Angel of God, my guardian dear to whom God’s love commits me here.
Ever this day/night be at my side to light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

from Manila
Bulletin Online

2 comments:

Lesley said...

I love angel stories too and would love to read yours sometime.

What's the difference between a guardian angel and the holy ghost? In my religion we always speak about he holy ghost prompting us and protecting us and guiding us. Exactly how you've described a GA. Maybe the holy ghost acts through our GA? What do catholics believe about the holy ghost? Just curious.

Rose said...

Hi Moody! Great question. The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity. We believe in one God, three Persons-- Father, Son, Holy Spirit. So, the Holy Spirit is God. A guardian angel, on the other hand, has been appointed to us by God to help us in this life through their guidance and point us to Heaven. The Holy Spirit guides us as well but in a different way. In the Apostle's Creed we say: "We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son."

Not being a theologian, I can understand there is a big difference between the two, even if I am not very good at explaining it.