In today’s age of disbelief and skepticism, even many Christians no longer believe in the existence of angels and demons. Joan Carroll Cruz provides a thorough guide on these spiritual entities in Angels and Devils, explaining all that has been revealed to the Church, saints, and mystics about them.
How Do We Know Guardian Angels Are Real?
We know we have a guardian angel from the teachings of the Church herself, based both on the Old and New Testaments and Tradition, and from the writings of the Doctors of the Church. We have an assurance from the mouth of Jesus, who stated:
“See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:10).
Scripture adds: “For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.” (Ps. 90:11).
And in the book of Exodus, we learn that in addition to our guardians, the good Lord often assigns other angels to help in particular situations. In giving certain rules to the children of Israel, God told them:
“Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned: for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and my name is in him. But if thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee.” (Ex. 23:20-22).
The Seven Duties Of Guardian Angels
- They preserve us from many unknown dangers to soul and body.
- They defend us against the temptations of the evil spirits.
- They inspire us with holy thoughts and prompt us to deeds of virtue in the Divine service.
- They warn us of spiritual dangers and admonish us when we have sinned.
- They unite with us in prayer and offer our prayers to God.
- They defend us at the hour of death against the last attacks of our spiritual foes.
- They console the souls languishing in Purgatory and then conduct them to Heaven when their faults have been fully expiated.
Does Everyone Receive A Guardian Angel?
St. Jerome and St. John Chrysostom share the opinion that every person, from the moment he is born into this world, has a guardian angel.
On the other hand, St. Basil the Great and St. Cyril of Alexandria both limit the angelic ministry to faithful Christians.
However, it is the opinion of the majority of theologians that guardian angels are given to all men. Suarez agrees with these theologians and the Doctors of the Church who maintain that the just as well as the sinner, the faithful and the unbeliever—the baptized as well as the unbaptized—all have angel guardians.
How We Can Assist And Thank Our Guardian Angels
The Blessed Mother herself suggests three points:
- By incessant prayer and acknowledgment, show thyself thankful for the favor which God vouchsafed thee in appointing angels to assist thee, teach thee, and guide thee through tribulations and sorrows.
- In every place and at all times, preserve love and reverence toward these holy spirits, as if thou didst see them with thy corporeal eyes, and that thou dare not do before them what thou wouldst not do in public.
- Live attentive to the calls, urgings, and inspirations, by which these angels seek to rouse thee, move and excite thee to the recollection of the Most High and to the exercise of all the virtues.
This article is taken from a chapter in Angels and Devils by Joan Carroll Cruz which is available from TAN Books.
