Oct 2 – Memorial for The Guardian Angels
The term ‘guardian angels’ refers to the belief that each soul has an angel who is available to shepherd the soul through life, and help bring them to God.
Belief in the reality of angels, their mission as messengers of God, and Man’s interaction with them, goes back to the earliest times. Cherubim kept Adam and Eve from slipping back into Eden; angels saved Lot and helped destroy the cities of the plains; in Exodus, Moses follows an angel, and at one point an angel is appointed leader of Israel. Michael is mentioned at several points, Raphael figures large in the story of Tobit, and Gabriel delivered the Annunciation of the coming of Christ.
The concept of each soul having a personal guardian angel is also an ancient one, and long accepted by the Church:
“See that you despise not one of these little ones [children]: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” – Jesus, Matthew 18:10
“How great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” – St. Jerome in his commentary on Matthew.
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?” – Hebrews 1:14
The feast, celebrating the angels who helped bring us to God began in many local calendars centuries ago, and was widely known by the 16th century. Pope Paul V placed a feast venerating the angels on the general calendar on 27 September 1608. Ferdinand of Austria requested that it be extended to all areas in the Holy Roman Empire.
Initially placed after the feast of Michael the Archangel, it was seen as a kind of supplement to that date. Pope Clement X elevated the feast, celebrated on 2 October, to an obligatory double for the whole Church. On 5 April 1883, Pope Leo XIII raised the feast to the rank of a double major.
- Patron Saint Index
“O angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom whose love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to rule and guard, to light and guide. Amen.” – Prayer to our guardian angel
Exo 23:20-23
Mt 18:1-5.10
“My angel will go before you”
One of the shows that I enjoyed watching when I was young, was the TV series entitled, “Journey to the West.” It shares the adventures of a monk from the Tang Dynasty, who makes an arduous journey across land to obtain Buddhist Scriptures. Along the way, he takes in three disciples and the quartet proceed to experience tremendous amount of hardships and attacks by evil spirits. Yet despite all of this, there are deities who seek to ensure that they are tested, but never overwhelmed. These deities are invisible and taken for granted, but are always on the lookout for the protection of the group.
In some ways, the Guardian Angels often are taken for granted and most people do not have a memory of their guardian angels. Yet especially in this time, it is all the more important for us to reflect upon the role of the Guardian Angels in our lives. This sharing is for all who are struggling in their lives, especially those who are emotionally troubled, or facing some form of battle which nobody knows.
The first reading shares with us the instruction that God will send his Angel before the Israelites to protect them. Indeed, the Israelites are embarking on an important journey in their lives as they leave Egypt. But I believe that unknown to the individuals in the group, the journey in the desert is going to be a long and demanding one which tests their ability to rely on God.
The desert is a very harsh environment for human survival and thus, the reliance on God’s provision is very important. The desert and its presenting harshness could be seen to be analogous to the problems we encounter in our lives. We know not the demands of what will be made of us and often this poses to be a struggle for all around us. There is a desire to be free from the pain, fear and uncertainty but often, we forget that God has sent his angels before us to take care of us.
As we continue with the demands of life, may we turn to our Guardian Angel every day to ask for the strength to continue with the plan which God has made for us. The journey is indeed tough but stay strong, because God’s angel will go before you.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)
Prayer: Angel of God, my guardian dear. To whom God’s love entrusts me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who are angels in our lives.
OXYGEN 
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