One

What do we know about Guardian Angels?

We are a composite of body and spirit or soul. Angels are pure spirits. They are persons with no physical body, but real persons nonetheless. They are vastly superior to us in their intellect and their strength and power. Their primary task is to serve God and glorify Him. Their secondary task is to guide and protect humans as we journey through this life to our home in heaven, while under the attack of the devil and his demons.

The Catechism (336) teaches that every human has his own special Guardian Angel from the moment of his conception. Think of this: an angel was sent from heaven the moment you were conceived in your mother’s womb and charged with the mission of bringing you safely to heaven. He has waged a long and relentless battle on your behalf. And we…half the time we have acted as his ally and the other half as his enemy and the enemy of God. Yet while we vacillate, he never wavers. He is our constant Ally.

Two

Gemma Galganni and her Angel 

St. Gemma Galgani saw her Guardian Angel with her eyes and touched him with her hand as if he were a being of this world, and spoke with him as one friend would with another. I want to share with you the kinds of conversations she had with her Angel. She would say, “Tell me, my Angel, what was the matter this morning with the confessor who was so very serious that he would not listen to me? And will the Father write to me from Rome, and when, in answer to the letter I wrote him, asking him how I should act in a certain case? And that sinner for whom I am striving, tell me dear Angel, when will Jesus convert him for me? And what answer should I give that person who has come to ask my advice? And what do you think of me? Is Jesus contented with me, or what must I do to keep Him so?”

She made known to him her own wants and those of others. In her sufferings, she wished to have him always by her side. She charged him to lay several matters before the throne of God, before the Divine Mother and her Patron Saints, giving him also closed and sealed letters for them, with a request to bring her back the answers in time. And those letters, as a matter of fact, disappeared.

Three

Our Guardian Angel is a witness to all our words and actions. 

Again, St. Gemma Galgani writes, “My Angel is a little severe, but I am glad of it. During the past days he brought me to order as often as three or four times a day.” And indeed sometimes it almost appeared as if he had gone too far. “Yesterday while at table”—it is Gemma who is speaking— I raised my eyes and saw the Angel looking at me with a severity that would frighten one. Later when I went to rest a little, O my God, how angry he was! I looked at him but lowered my eyes immediately. “Art thou not ashamed,” he said, “to commit faults in my presence?” He cast such severe looks at me! And I did nothing but cry and recommend myself to my God and to my Blessed Mother, that they might take me away, because I could not bear it much longer. Every now and then he repeated: “I am ashamed of thee.” I prayed also that others might not see him so angry; for if they did, no one would come near me. I suffered a whole day and could not recollect myself. I had not courage to say a word to him, for whenever I raised my eyes he was looking at me with severity. I should have so liked to ask pardon, but when he is angry there is no chance of his granting it. Yesterday evening I found it impossible to go to sleep, and at last about two o’clock I saw him approach; he put his hand on my forehead, saying: “Sleep, my poor child,” and disappeared.

Four

St. Faustyna and her Guardian Angel 

In her diary, St. Faustyna writes of a profound experience with her guardian angel, “When the sermon was over, I did not wait for the end of the service, as I was in a hurry to get back home. When I had taken a few steps, a great multitude of demons blocked my way. They threatened me with terrible tortures, and voices could be heard: “She has snatched away everything we have worked for over so many years!” When I asked them, “Where have you come from in such great numbers?” the wicked forms answered, “Out of human hearts; stop tormenting us!” Seeing their great hatred for me, I immediately asked my Guardian Angel for help, and at once the bright and radiant figure of my Guardian Angel appeared and said to me, “Do not fear, spouse of my Lord; without His permission these spirits will do you no harm.” Immediately the evil spirits vanished, and the faithful Guardian Angel accompanied me, in a visible manner, right to the very house. His look was modest and peaceful, and a flame of fire sparkled from his forehead.” 419

Five

Develop a Friendship with Your Guardian Angel 

The best way is by talking to your Guardian Angel, in your mind or out loud. Angels have intellect-to-intellect communication. Thank him. Ask for help, guidance, and protection. Think about his presence, which makes you aware of his presence.

If I am aware my Guardian Angel is present, then I guarantee I will think, speak, and act better. Awareness of the presence of an important person puts us on our best behavior. So practice the presence of your Angel. Take delight in the company of one who shares your pursuit of the good – that is the essence of friendship.