We in the Catholic Church believe in angels, a belief which is rooted in Scripture. We see angels as spiritual being who were created by God. Our English word “angel” comes from the Greek word “angelos”, which means “messenger”. God sends out his angels to carry special messages for him.
Today, we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels. It is our belief that each of us has a guardian angel from birth who is there to help us in all things. It is also the belief that homes, cities and states also have guardian angels. A votive Mass to the guardian angels has been recognized since the 9th century. Devotion to angels developed in the monastic tradition, with St Benedict and St Bernard of Clairvaux popularizing devotion to angels. A feast in honor of the guardian angels was first observed in the 16th century. In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar.
Our readings today for the feast of the Guardian Angels talk about angels, with the Gospel from Matthew speaking about an angels protecting children: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to your that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Although we have the wonderful Guardian Angel prayer that children often pray, devotion to the angels, at the heart of it, is an expression of faith in God’s enduring love for us and providential care that God extends to each person each day.
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