Since the 17th century, each October, the Universal Church celebrates a feast honouring the Guardian Angels. The Church’s teaching about angels is part of its Sacred Tradition. Guardian Angels are believed to be heavenly spirits assigned by God to watch over us, during our earthly existence. The role of the Guardian Angel is to guide us to noble thoughts, noble words and noble deeds; to guard us against evil and temptation; to warn us of impending spiritual dangers.

The first reading from Exodus and the Gospel message, today, support this teaching.

The Guardian Angels have also been visibly present to a number of Saints and they, in turn, urge us to foster devotion towards these spiritual beings. St Augustine of Hippo claims that the Angels watch over us, hastening to our aid at God’s command; and no matter where we may be, they are always with us. St Jerome believed that from our birth there is appointed to each one a Guardian Angel. According to St Bernard, no matter how weak we may be, no matter what our condition, we have nothing to fear if we make the Guardian Angels our friends.