“From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’ Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 336)

“Are they – [the angels] –  not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

“Ever at our side is being lived a golden life. A princely Spirit is there who sees God and enjoys the bewildering splendors of His face, even there where he is, nearer than the limits of our outstretched arms. An unseen warfare is waging round our steps, but that beautiful Spirit lets not so much as the sound of it vex our ears. He fights for us and asks no thanks, but hides his silent victories, and continues to gaze upon God. His tenderness for us is above all words. His office will last beyond the grave, until at length it merges into a still sweeter tie of something like heavenly equality, when on the morning of the resurrection we pledge each other, in those first moments, to an endless blessed love. Till then we shall never know from how many dangers he has delivered us, nor how much of our salvation is actually due to him. Meanwhile he merits nothing by the solicitudes of his office. He is beyond the power of meriting, for he has attained the sight of God. His work is a work of love because his sweet presence at our side he knows to be a part of God’s eternal creative love towards our particular soul” (By: Father F.W. Faber).

The deep realization that ever by your side is being lived the powerful spiritual life of your Guardian Angel should be a source of great confidence and courage as you face the trials and hardships of day to day life. The Bible says in this context: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 12:18). “These words distinctly recognize the belief in guardian angels, entrusted each with a definite and special work. That guardianship is asserted in general terms in Psalm 34:7; Psalm 91:11, Hebrews 1:14 and elsewhere. What is added to the general fact here is that those who have the guardianship of the little ones assigned to them are among the most noble of the heavenly host, and are as the angels of the Presence, who, like Gabriel, stand before the face of God, and rejoice in the beatific vision; Luke 1:19,” (Ellicot’s Bible Commentary).

Practical conclusion: the incredible importance of devotion to our guardian angels. Two saints who practiced immense devotion to their guardian angels are: Saint Gemma Galgani and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Maintaining an ongoing devotion to our Guardian Angel is one way to practice the presence of God, i,e., to be recollected in God. Knowing that our Guardian Angel sees God in the beatific vision, face to face, so to speak, when we honor or pray to our Guardian Angel we are talking directly to some one – an angelic spirit –  who is in the direct presence of God.  God has given us many gifts – angels included. They do not detract from His glory but rather, like the Virgin Mary, are manifestations of it.

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.