The Catholic Church observes October 2nd every year as the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. In 1670, Pope Clement X established this day for the whole Church to honor the Angels who protect us day by day.

While most of us only pay attention to the individual Guardian Angels, the Church’s tradition (taught by theologians such as Saint Thomas Aquinas) indicates that nations, cities, dioceses, parishes have their own Guardian Angels. Besides, there are people, places where still have many Angels.

They are the beautiful creatures of God, hidden in a great mystery. Guardian Angels always protect and instruct us without our knowing. They quietly intervene in our lives, completing the task in the most modest way possible.

To better understand our “heavenly helpers”, let’s discover these 5 facts about our Guardian Angels.

1. Every person in the world has a Guardian Angel (whether Christian or not)

It is believed by theologians and confirmed in the YOUCAT that “Every person receives from God a Guardian Angel” (s. 55). This is consistent with the teachings of the Bible, of Saints such as Thomas Aquinas, Basilica and Jeremiah. And even with the experience of non-Christians who felt an invisible help a Guardian Angel.

Mike Aquilina, a famous historian, writes about his friend’s experiences related to Angels of God as follows:

“A friend of mine, a famous Harvard-trained philosopher, was an atheist from young age. One day, when he was swimming at sea, he was swept out to the sea. He knew he was drowning with no hope of rescue. Suddenly, a strong arm grabbed and towed him to the shore. The one who held him was a muscular young man. When my friend tried to thank him, he laughed and vanished. From that moment, my friend began the road back to faith.”

2. The Angels are appointed at the beginning of life

As the Catechism explains: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession” (No. 336). Saint Anselm believed that Angels were sent from the first moment when the soul unified the human body in the womb. However, this has not been declared and there were still much debate. If true, the pregnant woman has two Guardian Angels, for herself and her unborn child.

3. Guardian Angels have names, and only God knows their names

The Church guides us: “The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture.” (Congregation of Divine Worship and the Sacraments, The Directory of Popular Piety, n. 217, 2001)

The reason for this is that a name contains a certain authority over a person. For example, if I know your name and call you whenever I need, you are forced to listen to me, and I have an authority on you. On the contrary, we have no authority over our Angels. They only report to their only Commander: God. We can ask for their help, but should not think that they are at beck and call.

The Church rejects the habit of naming Guardian Angels because there are many who have a habit of naming and praying for them, but it may not be inspired. It could even be due to the effects of the devil. Only names of Angels that confirmed in Scripture can be trusted, and any other name cannot be sure whether or not they are from God.

4. We do not become Angels when we die

Many people believe that we will turn into Angels after death, but there is no way to transform into an Angel after death. When we die, we leave body for a while, and will reunite at the end of time. We will not become an invisible Angels. All Guardian Angels have been created since the beginning of creation.

Remember the words of God to the prophet Jeremiah:  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5). God knew you and assigned a Guardian Angel to you before he created the world.

5. Guardian Angels are always here to help us

The Catechism describes a Guardian Angel as a “shepherds” who want to protect and lead people into eternal life. Their only task is to help us go to Heaven, therefore, we need pray with them every day, ask them to help us in matters of life.

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