| Holy Angels by Pope John Paul II | Catholic Teaching on the Angels |
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The Feast Day of the ARCHANGELS:
St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael,
September 29th
Feast Day of the Guardian Angels, October 2nd
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For comprehensive information on the Holy Angels of God, please visit:
Opus Sanctorum Angelorum
Work of the Holy Angels
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St. Bernard indicates how we ought to love and honor the Angels: "He has given His Angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways.' How these words should induce respect, inspire devotion and instill confidence; respect for their presence, devotion over their loving service, and confidence in their protection. ... Let us be devoted and grateful to such great protectors; let us return their love and honor them as much as we can and should. Yet all our love and honor must go to Him [God], for it is from Him that they receive all that makes them worthy of our love and respect" (Sermo 12 in Ps 91). In this reverent submission, devotion, confidence, gratitude and resolution are expressed many of the elements of a consecration to the Angels, which goes beyond them expressing our ultimate relationship with the Lord.
A prayer to one's Guardian
Angel by St. Gertrude:
O' most Holy Angel of
God, appointed by Him to be my guardian, I give thee
thanks for all the benefits which thou hast ever bestowed on me in body
and
in soul. I praise and glorify thee that thou didst condescend to assist me
with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assault of my
enemies. Blessed be the hour in which thou wast assigned me for my
guardian, my defender, and my patron. In acknowledgement and return of all
thy loving ministries to me from my youth up, I offer thee the infinitely
precious and noble Heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey thee
henceforth, and most faithfully to serve my God. Amen.
Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you ... Saint Francis de Sales
OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS
Speaking
on the Faith, Fr. Husslien SJ tells us that the Church not only
acknowledges the existence of the Guardian Angels, but with absolute
authority and conviction says that each individual of humanity has
their own singular Guardian Angel. Regardless of the state of grace, or
lack of grace, every single souls upon the earth has its own Guardian
Angel. This is for certain.
Christ Himself points to their existence: "See that
you despise not one of these little ones, for I say to you that their
Angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father Who art in Heaven."
Their mission is seven fold:
1) ward off dangers of body and soul
2) resisting Satan's suggestion of evil thoughts and helping us to
overcome temptation
3) enlightening and instructing us leading to pious thought and
actions
4) offering our prayers to God and praying for us
5) correcting us if we sin
6) helping us in the agony of death by strengthening and consoling
us
7) conducting our souls to Heaven or consoling us in Purgatory
St. Bernard tells us of the dignity of our Guardian Angel; "The great
dignity and sanctity of your Guardian Angels makes the duty of reverence
an indispensable one for us. Before the great ones of earth, men are very
modest and respectful, yet their dignity is incomparably less than that of
the lowest of the Angels. Therefore we must always conduct ourselves
piously and modestly before our holy angel, refraining from every word,
gesture or action that would displease our heavenly friend and guide. This
continued remembrance of the presence of our holy angel is also an
excellent means of overcoming temptation."
Liturgical honor has been paid to the angels from the earliest times of Christianity, with the office of the dedication of the church of St. Michael the Archangel, and the Sacramentary of Alcuin contains a votive Mass for the angels in the 8th century. Offices have been created throughout the life of the Church for not only individuals, but cities and provinces. Various regions and countries from England to Spain to Austria have included a Feast day for the Guardian angels, and Pope Clement X fixed the present date in AD 1670.
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Remember to cultivate your relationship with your Guardian Angel. God created your Angel just for you. Your Angel, or Angels, have been with you since the moment of your conception, and will be with you for all your life. Devotion to your Guardian Angel will benefit you in ways you have not thought.
On Tears and Sorrow...
"Your tears were collected by the Angels and were placed in a gold chalice and you will find them when you present yourself before God."
~ Blessed Padre Pio to someone who had been crying
A Gallery, Angels of God
Updated: 12 September, 2005