FEAST OF THE GUARDIAN ANGELS – 2nd OCTOBER

FEAST OF THE GUARDIAN ANGELS – 2nd OCTOBER

THE FIRST OF SERVANTS

“‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’” – Luke 17:10

Whenever we hear the word servant, we somehow connect them with household help. But the real biblical meaning is far from it. In Jesus’ time, a servant was a slave with no rights and no freedom.

Their masters owned them, hence, their masters had every right to issue orders. Jesus made it known that he had come to serve and makes service a key virtue of his ministry on earth.

Luke 17:9 says, “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?” Reading this, you may think that God is an ego-tripping master who wants us to serve Him all the time.

Isaiah 42:1 says, God made the first step to serve us by declaring His Son, Jesus, to be the Servant of all: “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;

My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.

Angels are servants and messengers from God. “Angel” in Greek means messenger. They are assigned and commissioned to each of us to serve and protect us.

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 idea that each soul has assigned to it a personal guardian angel has been long accepted by the Church and is a truth of our faith.

From the Gospel liturgy we read: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Matthew 18:10).

For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. – Psalm 91:11

Devotion to the guardian angels has been part of popular piety within the church, from earliest times. Such devotion already had a place in Judaism before the time of Jesus.

The truth that each and every human soul has a Guardian Angel who protects us from both spiritual and physical evil has been shown throughout the Old Testament, and is made very clear in the New.

It is written that the Lord Jesus was strengthened by an angel in the Garden of Gethsemane, and that an angel delivered St. Peter from prison in the Acts of the Apostles.

Jesus too made the existence and function of guardian angels explicit, pointing out that all people, even little children, have a guardian angel.

And that the angels are always in Heaven, looking at the face of God throughout their mission on earth, which is to guide and protect us on our pilgrimage to the house of our Father.

However, they guide us to Heaven only if we desire it. In Heaven, our guardian angels, though no longer needing to guide us to salvation, will continually enlighten us.

Prayer to the guardian angels is encouraged, and the habit of remembering their presence and support leads to friendship with them. The prayer to the guardian angels has been present in the Church since at least the beginning of the 12th century.

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).”

From our birth until our death, man is surrounded by the protection and intercession of angels, particularly our guardian angel: “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life (336).”

The Church thanks God for our helpers, the angels, particularly on this feast day and September 29 which is the feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, archangels. Today’s feast appeared in Spain during the sixteenth century. It was extended to the universal Church and made obligatory in 1670.

Be alert in your every action as one should be who is accompanied by angels in all your ways, for that mission has been enjoined upon them.

In whatever lodging, in whatever nook or corner you may find yourself, cherish a reverence for your guardian angel. In his presence do not dare to do anything you would not do in mine.

Or do you doubt his presence because you do not see him? Would it really help if you did hear him, or touch him, or smell him? Remember, there are realities whose existence has not been proven by mere sight.

Brethren, we will love God’s angels with a most affectionate love; for they will be our heavenly co-heirs some day, these spirits who now are sent by the Father to be our protectors and our guides.

With such bodyguards, what are we to fear? They can neither be subdued nor deceived; nor is there any possibility at all that they should go astray who are to guard us in all our ways.

They are trustworthy, they are intelligent, they are strong — why, then, do we tremble? We need only to follow them, remain close to them, and we will dwell in the protection of the Most High God.

So as often as you sense the approach of any grave temptation or some crushing sorrow hangs over you, invoke your protector, your leader, your helper in every situation. Call out to him and say: Lord, save us, we are perishing. — St. Bernard.

PRAYER:

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.

Heavenly Father, Your infinite love for us has chosen a blessed angel in heaven and appointed him our guide during this earthly pilgrimage. Accept our thanks for so great a blessing.

Grant that we may experience the assistance of our holy protector in all our necessities. And you, holy, loving angel and guide, watch over us with all the tenderness of your heart.

Keep us always on the way that leads to heaven, and cease not to pray for us until we have attained our final destiny, eternal salvation. Then we shall love you for all eternity.

We shall praise and glorify you unceasingly for all the good you have done for us while here on earth. Especially be a faithful and watchful protector of our children.

Take our place, and supply what may be wanting to us through human frailty, short-sightedness, or sinful neglect. Guide our children, that they may become like unto Jesus, may imitate Him faithfully, and persevere till they attain eternal life.

Thank you for your providence God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

PRAYER TO OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL

Angel sent by God to guide me,
be my light and walk beside me;
be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.
Amen.

ANGEL OF GOD

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

MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

My guardian angel, fair and bright
Protect and guard me day and night
And always whisper in my ear
Keep free from sins for I am near.

Jesus, You’re the Servant of all servants. May I serve like You did.

Guardian Angels, pray for us.