Nuturing a Deeper Relationship With Your Guardian Angel

For centuries, Catholic tradition has held the belief in personal Guardian Angels. God's love for each soul is revealed through this practice, where a unique angel is assigned to every soul. Our Guardian Angels are provided to provide protection and spiritual guidance throughout our lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 336, states: "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession."

Throughout history, numerous saints and everyday individuals have claimed to have had special relationships with their Guardian Angels. These accounts highlight the idea that Guardian Angels are not merely abstract concepts, but rather, personal companions alongside us in our spiritual journey. Here are a few notable examples:

Catalina Rivas private revelation: In 1993, Catalina Rivas, a housewife and grandmother from Cochabamba, Bolivia began receiving messages from Jesus and Mary. Catalina bears the stigmata, the suffering wounds of Christ’s crucifixion. Amazingly, Catalina, who did not finish high school, has written eight books containing the messages of Jesus and Mary – all without a single theological mistake, and all given an imprimatur by the Archbishop of Cochabamba.  Here is her testimony about our Guardian Angels and the Mass:

On the Offertory at Mass

A moment later the Offertory arrived, and the Holy Virgin said: “Pray like this: (and I repeated after Her) Lord, I offer all that I am, all that I have, all that I can. I put everything into Your Hands. Build it up, Lord, with the little thing that I am. By the merits of Your Son, transform me, God Almighty. I petition You for my family, for my benefactors, for each member of our Apostolate, for all the people who fight against us, for those who commend themselves to my poor prayers. Teach me to lay down my heart as if on the ground before them so that their walk may be less severe. This is how the saints prayed; this is how I want all of you to do it.”

Thus, this is how Jesus asks us to pray, that we put our hearts as if on the ground so that they do not feel its severity, but rather that we alleviate the pain of their steps.

Suddenly some characters, whom I had not seen before, began to stand up. It was as if from the side of each person present in the Cathedral, another person emerged, and soon the Cathedral became full of young, beautiful people. They were dressed in very white robes, and they started to move into the central aisle and, then, went towards the Altar.

Our Mother said, “Observe. They are the guardian angels of each one of the persons who are here. This is the moment in which your guardian angel carries your offerings and petitions before the altar of the Lord.”

At that point I was completely astonished because these beings had such beautiful faces, so radiant as one is unable to imagine… Their naked feet did not touch the floor, but rather they went as if gliding. The procession was very beautiful.

Some of them were carrying something like a golden bowl with something (inside) that shone a great deal with a golden white light. The Virgin Mary said:

Observe. They are the guardian angels of the people who are offering this Holy Mass for many intentions; those who are conscious of the significance of this celebration, those who have something to offer to the Lord…

Make your offerings at this moment… Offer up your sorrows, your pains, your dreams, your sadness, your joys… your petitions. Remember that the Mass has infinite value. Therefore be generous in your offering and in your asking.

…At the end of the procession came other angels who were rather sad, with their hands together in prayer, but with their eyes downcast.

These are the guardian angels of the people who are here, yet they are not here. That is to say, they are the people… who have come here out of obligation but without any desire to participate in the Holy Mass. Their angels go forth in sadness because they have nothing to carry to the altar…

To read her full testimony about the Holy Mass, go to https://www.loveandmercy.org/Eng-HM-Lg.pdf

• St. Gemma Galgani (1878-1903): This Italian mystic and stigmatist had a deep bond with her Guardian Angel, whom she referred to as her "celestial guide." She often communicated with her angel and wrote extensively about their interactions in her diary. One entry is about her Angel speaking to her, "Are you fond of Jesus' Mother? Salute Her very often, for She values such attention very much, and unfailingly returns the salutations offered to Her; and if you do not sense this, know that She makes a proof of your unfailing trust." He blessed me and disappeared.
  
• St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio, 1887-1968): Padre Pio, a renowned Italian saint known for bearing the stigmata, frequently spoke about his close relationship with his Guardian Angel and always encouraged others to nurture their relationship with their Guardian Angel.  ”Do not forget this invisible companion! He is always present, always ready to listen, and even more ready to console us.”  “He guides us, he protects us like a friend, like a brother.  How close to us stands one of the celestial spirits, who from the cradle to the grave never leaves us for an instant.” Here is Padre Pio’s personal prayer to his Guardian Angel that he prayed on a daily basis.

Angel of God, my guardian,
to whom the goodness
of the Heavenly Father entrusts me.
Enlighten, protect and guide me now and for ever.
Amen

• St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938): The Polish mystic St. Faustina, known for receiving the revelations from Jesus of Divine Mercy, also shared her experiences of being protected by her Guardian Angel. Satan was not happy with her spreading the Divine Mercy message so he sent a host of demons to frighten her, hoping that she would give up the mission God had entrusted to her. She writes about it in her Diary.  “When I had taken a few steps, a great multitude of demons blocked my way. They threatened me with terrible tortures, and voices could be heard: “She has snatched away everything we have worked for over so many years!” When I asked them, “Where have you come from in such great numbers?” the wicked forms answered, “Out of human hearts; stop tormenting us!”  But, St. Faustina didn’t back down, Instead she prayed to her Guardian Angel. “Seeing their great hatred for me, I immediately asked my Guardian Angel for help, and at once the bright and radiant figure of my Guardian Angel appeared and said to me, “Do not fear, spouse of my Lord; without His permission these spirits will do you no harm.” Immediately the evil spirits vanished, and the faithful Guardian Angel accompanied me, in a visible manner, right to the very house. His look was modest and peaceful, and a flame of fire sparkled from his forehead.”

• St. John Bosco (1815-1888): This beloved saint and educator often spoke about his Guardian Angel's role in guiding him throughout his life, particularly in his work with troubled youth. “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 Vianney (1786-1859): The Cure of Ars, St. John Vianney, had a strong devotion to his Guardian Angel and believed that his angel was instrumental in helping him guide souls to God through the confessional. “If only we could see the joy of our Guardian Angel when he sees us fighting our temptations!”
  

Here is some of his advice given to us from Saints about the importance of nurturing a daily relationship with our own Guardian Angel:

One of our favorite books about Guardian Angels is Under Angel Wings by Maria Antonia. It is the true story of a young girl in Brazil who saw and heard her Guardian Angel during most of her life. The book brims with her true-life stories that are enlightening, touching, and frequently humorous.

While we may not see our Guardian Angel like some of the Saints did, we hope you are encouraged to grow your relationship with the angel who daily protects and loves you!