To Light, To Guard, To Rule, To Guide!

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels!

Ex 23:20-23; Mt 18:1-5, 10

Today we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels. 

There can be nothing more comforting than the belief that there is an Angel of God individually assigned to protect us from dangers, real and imagined.

The concept of the Guardian Angel is based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:10, where Jesus cautions against despising the ‘little ones,’ saying, ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.’

Historical records show that the devotion to the Guardian Angels developed with the birth of the monastic tradition, with impetus coming from spiritual greats like St. Benedict and St. Bernard of Clairvaux. While a feast in honor of the Guardian Angels was observed in the 16^th century, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar in 1615. 

An anecdote attributed to St. Francis de Sales holds that the saint, before starting to preach from the pulpit, liked to look around at the people to greet their Guardian Angels, invisibly present. The same is said of St. Paul of the Cross as well.

Popes Pius XII and John XXIII were known for their deep devotion to their Guardian Angels. Pope John XXIII was always happy to use opportunities to remind people of the reassuring truth that the Angels of God always protected us. In particular, he addressed the parents, saying, ‘Parents should teach their children that they are never alone, that they have an angel at their side, and show them how to have a trusting conversation with this angel. Your guardian angel is a good adviser; he intercedes near God on our behalf; he helps us in our needs; he protects us from dangers and accidents.’ Thus, the beloved Pope wanted the faithful to feel the wonderful help the Angels give.

Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels, what should we be reminded of? We are called to remember and celebrate God’s enduring love and providential care extended to each person through His Guardian Angels day in and day out. 

Hence, as we celebrate God’s continued care and protection through our Guardian Angels, we need to develop a special affection for our invisible protectors. 

1. We must learn to lean on them because the Guardian Angels are there for us and with us. With absolute trust and confidence, we must look up to the invisible Hand of God to guide and protect us in our moments of need. 

2. We must learn to love them because they are sent by God for our protection. The Guardian Angels are a reminder that God has not abandoned or does not abandon us. We grow in our sanctity and virtues when we love them and listen to their directions.

These are the reasons why we commit ourselves in prayer to our Guardian Angels every day: 

‘Angel of God, my Guardian Dear.

To whom God’s love, commits me here.

Ever this day, be at my side;

To light, to guard, to rule, to guide,

Amen.’

Let us pray that we may understand God’s love through our invisible protectors, the Guardian Angels!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar