23. The Guardian Angels

I. Those spirits are called Guardian Angels who are deputed to take charge of individual men. We do not know to which choirs this duty is committed, but it is generally attributed to the ninth or lowest choir. Even these, however, are princes of the house of God, and are of surpassing splendour and ability. It may be that spirits of higher rank and power are given charge of more distinguished servants of God who have a more difficult vocation than the average, such as Apostles, Popes, founders of orders, Bishops, missionaries, great rulers of men. There are examples in Scripture of other orders of blessed spirits being employed on this earth. Thus, one of the Cherubim was placed at the gates of Paradise with a flaming sword, a Seraph was sent to purify Isaias with a burning ember from the altar, and Archangels were sent at other times, Raphael to Tobias, Michael to Daniel and St. John, Gabriel to Zachary, the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. Every human being, however degraded and wicked, has an angel as his guardian and companion all through life. Learn hence to esteem every soul without exception as being the recipient of so high a favour from God. Like their angels, never fail in hope and in prayer for their salvation. Learn the same lesson as St. Peter: “God hath showed me not to call any man common or unclean” (Acts x. 28).

II. Our Guardian Angels take charge of us from the first instant of our existence, and remain with us through our whole course up to the moment of death. All through life they are at hand to help us in spiritual, and perhaps also in corporal needs, especially in resisting temptation, picking our steps through the embarrassments of life, keeping up our courage, persevering in fidelity to God. They do not abandon us when we fall from grace and make ourselves enemies of God. Our case may seem hopeless to men, but our guardian never loses hope or relaxes in his efforts. To the very end he watches, intercedes for us, and perhaps is able at the last moment to snatch his charge from the jaws of perdition. He accompanies us before the judgment seat of God to render an account of his stewardship, and witness either for or against us. It is generally believed that our guardian is God’s messenger of comfort and relief to us in purgatory, and that he will be our comrade and inseparable companion for all eternity. You ought to remember always this invisible presence; you ought not to live in utter insensibility to one who does so much for you, and who is so closely associated with your life by God. Your intercourse with him should not be one-sided; you should reply to his care with prayer, confidence and love.


III. The interest of our Angel Guardian in us is second only to that of God, of Jesus Christ, of His Blessed Mother. It does not matter who or what his charge is. Lazarus is as valuable as Dives; the heresiarch or the persecutor, Judas, Simon Magus, Mahomet, Luther, even Antichrist himself is as much the object of his guardian’s care as the Apostle or Martyr. Whether we be lambs or goats, predestinate or reprobate, our angels see in us only a soul created in the image of the Most Holy, bedewed with the blood of Redemption, one capable to the last of becoming a companion of the blessed in glory. So their task is always honourable, always dear to them, always deserving of their most zealous exertions. Even if their efforts prove to be in vain, still they have the assurance of having done their best for their Master and accomplished His will. What comfort and encouragement you should derive from this! God has placed one of His princes at your beck and call; and all his talents and love are at your service. Be true to God and to yourself and you cannot fail of victory and reward.