Guardian Angels: what they do and how they guide you

We know that there are angels who protect the Nations, as many Holy Fathers teach as early as the fourth century, such as the pseudo Dionysius, Origen, Saint Basil, Saint John Chrysostom, etc. Saint Clement of Alexandria says that "a divine decree distributed the angels among the nations" (Stromata VII, 8). In Daniel 10, 1321, we speak of the protective angels of the Greeks and Persians. Saint Paul speaks of the protector angel of Macedonia (Acts 16, 9). St. Michael has always been regarded as the protector of the people of Israel (Dn 10, 21).

In the apparitions of Fatima the angel of Portugal is manifested three times in 1916 saying to the three children: "I am the angel of peace, the angel of Portugal". The devotion to the holy guardian angel of the Kingdom of Spain was spread in all parts of the Peninsula by the famous Spanish priest Manuel Domingo y Sol. He printed thousands and thousands of report cards with his image and the angel's prayer, propagated the novena and founded in several dioceses the National Association of the Holy Angel of Spain. This example also applies to all other countries in the world.

Pope John Paul II on July 30, 1986 said: "It can be said that the functions of angels, as ambassadors of the living God, extend not only to every single man and to those who have particular assignments, but also to whole nations".

There are also guardian angels of the churches. In the Apocalypse, the angels of the seven Churches of Asia are spoken of (Rev 1:20). Many saints speak to us, from their own experience, of this beautiful reality, and say that the guardian angels of the Churches disappear from there when they are destroyed. Origen says that each diocese is guarded by two bishops: one visible, the other invisible, a man and an angel. St. John Chrysostom, before going into exile, went to his church to take leave of the angel of his church. St. Francis de Sales wrote in his book "Philothea": "They become familiar with angels; they love and venerate the angel of the diocese where they are found ». Archbishop Ratti, the future Pope Pius XI, when in 1921 he was appointed archbishop of Milan, arrived in the city, knelt, kissed the earth and recommended himself to the guardian angel of the diocese. Father Pedro Fabro, Jesuit, companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, says: "Returning from Germany, while passing through many villages of heretics, I found abundant consolations for having greeted the guardian angels of the parishes where I went". In the life of Saint John the Baptist Vianney it is said that when they sent him pastor to Ars, glimpsing the church from afar, he got down on his knees and recommended himself to the angel of his new parish.

In the same way, there are angels destined to the custody of the provinces, regions, cities and communities. The famous French father, Lamy, speaks at length about the protector angel of every country, every province, every city and every family. Some saints say that every family and every religious community has its own special angel.

Have you ever thought about invoking the angel of your family? and that of your religious community? and that of your parish, or city, or country? Furthermore, do not forget that in every tabernacle where Jesus is sacramented, there are millions of angels who worship their God. Saint John Chrysostom saw the church full of angels many times, especially while celebrating Holy Mass. At the moment of consecration, immense hosts of angels come to guard Jesus present in the altar, and at the moment of Communion revolve around the priest or ministers who distribute the Eucharist. An ancient Armenian writer, Giovanni Mandakuni, wrote in one of his sermons: «You do not know that at the moment of consecration the sky opens and Christ descends, and the celestial armies revolve around the altar where Mass is celebrated and that all are full Holy Spirit? " Blessed Angela da Foligno wrote: "The Son of God is on the altar surrounded by a multitude of angels".

This is why St. Francis of Assisi said: "The world should vibrate, the whole sky should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest ... Then we should imitate the attitude of the angels who, when celebrating the Mass, they are arranged around our altars in adoration ».

"Angels fill the church right now, surround the altar and contemplate the magnificence and grandeur of the Lord in ecstasy" (St. John Chrysostom). Even Saint Augustine said that "angels are around and help the priest while celebrating Mass". For this we must join them in adoration and sing the Gloria and the Sanctus with them. So did a venerable priest who said: "Ever since I started thinking about angels during Mass, I have felt a new joy and a new devotion in celebrating Mass."

St. Cyril of Alexandria calls the angels "masters of worship". Many millions of angels worship God in the Blessed Sacrament, even if it is located in a Host in the most humble chapel of the last corner of the earth. Angels worship God, but there are angels especially devoted to worshiping him before his heavenly throne. Thus says the Apocalypse: "Then all the angels who were around the throne and the elders and the four living beings bowed deeply with their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying:" Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen "(Ap 7, 1112).

These angels should be the seraphim, who are closest to the throne of God for their holiness. Thus says Isaiah: "I saw the Lord seated on a throne ... Around him stood seraphim, each had six wings ... They proclaimed to one another:" Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of armies. The whole earth is full of his glory "(Is 6:13).