Angels are a fan favorite among believers and non-believers alike.
How many cute stories and movies have featured them? This time of year, It’s a Wonderful Life immediately comes to mind!
“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”
Come to think of it, there is a lot of talk about angels at the moment!
We think of the Archangel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she was to be the Mother of God.
Or it’s the thought of angelic voices singing “Glory to God in the Highest!” to some lonely shepherds tending their sheep.
Or perhaps the angel that warned the Magi in a dream to peace on out of Bethlehem by another way to avoid Herod, or the angel that warned Joseph to flee to Egypt.
Beautiful Nativity scenes are proudly displayed in our churches, homes, and sometimes even on Main Streets of small towns. Most of these representations feature a beautiful angel, hovering above the stable.
Fun fact- St. John Chrysostom, and many others in the Christian tradition believe that the star wasn’t a star, but an angel guiding the Magi on their journey.
Continuing. Advent begins the liturgical “New Year.” New year, new beginnings.
Even new beginnings beckon mention of the angels.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
St. Augustine believed that the creation of the angels was implicitly stated either under the name of heaven in Genesis vs 1 (as quoted above) or in Genesis vs 3 when God separated the light from the darkness.
This is helpful to understand because that means that the angels existed long before mankind.
The great “Angelic Doctor”, St. Thomas Aquinas made a rational argument that while the creation of the angels isn’t plainly stated anywhere, Genesis is pretty thorough.
While no one knows why it isn’t explicitly mentioned, St. Thomas theorized that Moses knew how the people of his time (and ours as well for that matter!) were apt to worship things other than God. He chose the language of either heaven or light to mention their creation but didn’t say angels because he didn’t want the people worshipping the messengers instead of God Himself.
The term “angel” actually only refers to one group of the nine choirs of angels. We are most comfortable with them because they are the closest to the material world and to us human beings.
What about the other 8? The highest choir is the Seraphim, then comes the Cherubim, then Thrones, then Dominions, then Virtues, Powers, Archangels, Principalities, and the lowest choir are our beloved angels.
Each choir plays a different role in serving God, from perpetual adoration to governing nature, others are lines of communication directing communication to God, and still others are messengers.
We aren’t as familiar with most of the choirs, but maybe that’s not a bad thing. Perhaps we would worship the worshipers and messengers, just as Moses had predicted.
However, knowledge of our guardian angel specifically, is so beneficial to our spiritual life! Our Guardian angel can protect our eyes and ears from seeing and hearing evil things and has the ability to pray on our behalf.
“If you find it impossible to pray, hide behind your good angel and charge him to pray in your stead.”
-St. John Vianney
Remember, the devil too is but a fallen angel.
“When tempted, invoke your angel. He is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him. He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.”
-St. John Bosco
The candles on my advent wreath are shrinking by the day. This can only mean that Christmas is near! In these final days of Advent, I encourage you to develop a friendship with your guardian angel. Talk to him, especially out loud, and ask for his help and prayers always.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah
Litany to the Guardian Angel
Holy Guardian Angel,
Angel, my counselor, inspire me;
Angel, my defender, protect me;
Angel, my faithful friend, intercede for me;
Angel, my consoler, fortify me;
Angel, my brother, defend me;
Angel, my teacher, instruct me;
Angel, witness of all my actions, purify me;
Angel, my helper, support me;
Angel, my intercessor, speak for me;
Angel, my guide, direct me;
Angel, my light, enlighten me;
Angel, whom God has assigned to lead me, govern me.
Lord, have mercy on me.
Christ, have mercy on me.
Lord, have mercy on me.
Christ, hear me. Christ, graciously hear me.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on me.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on me.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on me.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on me.
Holy Mary, pray for me.
Holy Mother of God, pray for me.
Queen of the angels, pray for me.
Archangel Michael, pray for me.
Archangel Gabriel, pray for me.
Archangel Raphael, pray for me.
All holy angels and archangels, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who unceasingly behold the face of the Heavenly Father, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who never part from us, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who are devoted to us in Heavenly friendship, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, our faithful admonishers, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who preserve us from many evils of body and soul, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, our mighty defenders against the attacks of the evil enemy, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, our support in the time of temptations, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who help us when we stumble and fall, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who comfort us in troubles and sufferings, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who uphold our prayers and carry them before the throne of God, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who despite our faults never leave us, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who rejoice over our improvement and advancements in perfection, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who watch over us and pray for us even when we rest, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who do not abandon us in our agony of death, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who console the souls in purgatory, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, who lead the righteous into Heaven, pray for me.
Holy Guardian Angels, with whom one day we hope to eternally praise and behold God, pray for me.
Noble princes of Heaven, pray for me.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare me, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear me, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on me, O Lord.
Christ, hear me. Christ, graciously hear me.
Lord, have mercy on me.
Christ, have mercy on me.
Lord, have mercy on me.
Recite the Our Father here.
Bless the Lord, all His angels, you mighty ones who do His will. He has sent His angels before us to guard us in all our ways. My God, in the presence of the angels, I bless You. I adore You and praise Your Holy Name. Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto you.
Amen.
You can find the other posts in our angel series here!
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