Today October 2

Today is the glorious and delightful feast of the Guardian Angels. We know, of course, that we have them. "For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all of thy ways." Ps 90:11; and of course, our Lord's words about each of the "little ones" whose "angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven" Matt 18:10. Even St. Paul remarked on board ship: "An angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me this night saying, 'Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar; and behold God hath given thee all of them that sail with thee." Acts 27:22-24. And though there was a shipwreck, all souls were saved. St. Basil says, "Each one of the faithful has an angel who directs his life." And we should pray to them, asking them to teach and shepherd and intercede for us: "We should pray to the angels who are given us as guardians." - St. Ambrose.

And when I wrote "the faithful have angels" I didn't exclude other men: we ALL have guardian angels from the moment we are born into the world (well, either that or from when we are conceived; there's a difference of opinion on that -- but early, and young!). They will stay with us in heaven, and though they won't help us attain salvation (because we'll already have it), they will continue to enlighten us.

They will rejoice with us when we get there, just as they grieve over our faults and sins. I know a story of a man who was very taken with guardian angels. He prayed day after day, for many years, to see them. One day, and for one day only, he was able to see them. There was one by each and every person, many were serene and happy, but on the bus he saw folks gossiping and their angels hung their heads and looked sad.

We all know stories of folks who said, "Something told me not to" and avoided a traffic accident or a dangerous situation. Or we know cases where someone was lost and they suddenly got an inspiration how to get back. I know a woman who as a little girl fell from a jungle gym and felt unseen arms catch her and place her gently on the ground. I myself was awakened one night (unusual in itself, since I am a very heavy sleeper) with thoughts of a friend, for whom I fervently prayed. I found out his mother had died that very night.

Now that doesn't mean that if things like this DON'T happen to you, you are somehow not as favored by God. Who can know God's ways? All we are saying is that if it does happen, it may be the mysterious intervention of our guardian angels. We should honor them, thank them, pray to them. They are very touched when we pray to them. We can even use them to help us finish our work or care for our sick. Blessed Mary Fortunata Viti used to rely on hers to help her with mending when it got overwhelming and often put him in charge of the night patients. Truly. And she never lost a patient when her angel was "on duty." We need to open our minds and extend our imaginations. I know I often tell a person's guardian angel things I cannot tell the person himself. St. Francis de Sales used to silently pray to each and every person in the congregation's guardian angel to soften their hearts before his sermon. Sometimes it works. Angel of God, my guardian dear, pray for me.