Most of us probably learned the Guardian Angel Prayer as children. We may still pray it today. But how often do we actually ask our guardian angel for help with the ordinary circumstances of our lives?
The Church teaches that from infancy to death, human life is surrounded by the angels’ watchful care and intercession. Our guardian angels are not simply there to protect us from physical danger. Their concern is ultimately for something much greater: helping us get to heaven.
In our Good Catholic series Angels and the Supernatural, we looked at seven ways Catholic spiritual writers have traditionally described the help of our guardian angels. Some may surprise you.
1. They protect us from dangers to body and soul.
We often think of guardian angels protecting us from accidents, but their care extends to our souls as well. They can help us recognize and avoid situations that might lead us into sin.
2. They help us fight temptation.
St. John Bosco gave wonderfully practical advice: “When tempted, invoke your angel.” Rather than trying to fight temptation entirely on our own, we can immediately ask our guardian angel for assistance.
3. They encourage us toward what is good.
Guardian angels can inspire holy thoughts and encourage us toward prayer, charity, and virtue. St. John Vianney said, “The Angels take great pleasure in helping us with our enterprises, when they are in accordance with God’s will.”
4. They can help us recognize spiritual danger.
That uncomfortable interior nudge telling us to leave a situation, reconsider a choice, or turn away from something harmful shouldn't always be ignored. Our guardian angels desire our holiness and can help alert us to dangers to our souls.
They can even help us prepare for Confession. Fr. John Horgan, author of His Angels at Our Side, suggests asking our guardian angels to assist us in our examination of conscience.
5. They pray with us and for us.
Our guardian angel can be a wonderful prayer companion. St. Augustine taught that the angels pray for us, interceding that we might receive God's mercy and grace. When prayer is difficult or we're carrying a particularly heavy cross, we can ask our angel to pray alongside us.
6. They assist us at the hour of death.
Our guardian angel's mission doesn't end when life becomes difficult or frightening. Catholic tradition speaks particularly of the angel's assistance at the hour of death, when we most need spiritual protection and help.
7. Their care can continue even after death.
Catholic spiritual tradition also speaks beautifully of guardian angels consoling souls in Purgatory and accompanying them until they enter heaven.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this list is how it helps us to recognize how often we probably underutilize the help God has given us.
Our guardian angels already watch over us according to the mission God has entrusted to them. But because they respect our freedom, we can also intentionally invite their assistance. We can ask for help resisting a temptation, making a difficult decision, examining our conscience, praying well, or simply getting through an ordinary day faithfully.
And we can thank our guardian angels, too! Have you thanked yours lately?
You can learn more about the help of your guardian angels and about all of these heavenly creatures created by God in our Good Catholic series, Angels and the Supernatural.
The Personalized Guardian Angel Plaque is a particularly fitting reminder of that reality for a child's room. Personalized with a child's name, it makes visible something we can easily forget: God has entrusted each of us to the care of a heavenly guardian. Purchase one today at The Catholic Company!
