Angels, Guardian

God assigns a guardian angel to each person to help him get to Heaven. This truth is verified in Matthew 18:10 which reads, "See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

This Catholic dogma is confirmed in paragraph 336 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which teaches, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." The Catechism further says of these preternatural helpmates, "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession."

These angelic guardians are mentioned throughout Scripture such as in Psalm 90:11 which reads, "For he has given his angels charge over you; to keep you in all your ways." This was the bible verse cited by the devil in Matthew 4:6 when tempting Our Lord to presumptuously cast Himself off the temple. Afterward, angels came to Christ's assistance as Matthew 4:11 relates, "Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him."

Guardian angels assist men by praying for them, protecting them from physical and spiritual harm, guiding them in difficulties and by inspiring them to do good. Another example of this was in chapter one and two of Matthew's gospel where an angel appeared to St. Joseph four times in dreams offering special guidance concerning the Holy Family.

The Church's liturgy testifies to Guardian Angels by celebrating their feast on October 2. The Church offers the following Angel of God prayer dating back to the 11th century for any Catholic wanting to pray to his own Guardian Angel:

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here,

Ever this day, be at my side,

To light and guard, rule and guide.

Not only people but also countries, communities and churches have angelic patrons as shown in chapter 10 of Daniel.

Get to know more about your heavenly companion in season one of Church Militant's Premium show Armor of God—Angels & the Immaterial World.