Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Welcome to Fascinating Facts and Tantalizing Trivia

A Hartson Dowd Column

Oct 2, 2006

Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint.

October 2

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Perhaps no aspect of Catholic piety is as comforting to parents as the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers real and imagined. Yet guardian angels are not just for children. Their role is to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer and to present their souls to God at death.

The concept of an angel assigned to guide and nurture each human being is a development of Catholic doctrine and piety based on Scripture but not directly drawn from it. Jesus' words in Matthew 18:10 best support the belief: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."

Devotion to the angels began to develop with the birth of the monastic tradition. St. Benedict gave it impetus and Bernard of Clairvaux, the great 12th-century reformer, was such an eloquent spokesman for the guardian angels that angelic devotion assumed its current form in his day.

A feast in honor of the guardian angels was first observed in the 16th century. In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar.

How many times have you wishes there was some understanding person who was available just to sit down and listen to your problems? Have you looked for guidance and longed to be enlightened in a choice? Did you seek answers to important decisions?

We all want friends who will listen to us in our need. We desire trusted guidance. We seek answers to important questions. Isn't it good to know that such a good friend is as near to us as a prayer?

That friend is a part of the real world of spirits. Your guardian angel is a gift from God--your constant companion.

Contrary to popular movies and television shows, the angels are not good people who have died and went to heaven. Angels are not and never will be human. They are spirits and were created as such. Angels are God's messengers appointed by him to protect us. Only angels and people are special enough to think, to love, and to choose.

The Church honors the angels, and joins with them in praising God.

For kids:
Angels are God's very special creatures. We cannot see angels. They are real, but they are invisible. They are spirits. Angels praise and love God. They are God's messengers and helpers. Guardian angels watch over people. When Jesus was blessing the children he said, "Your angels in heaven see my Father's face!" (based on Matthew 8). That means they are holy and good. They are with God.

Your guardian angel is with you all the time, too! Guardian angels help us in many ways. They help us stay close to God. They help us make good choices. They pray for us. Guardian angels even protect us. You can ask your guardian angel to help you at home or at school--anywhere! Your guardian angel loves you!

Prayers to the Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my Guardian dear
To whom God's love entrusts me here.
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard to rule and guide.

Angel sent by God to guide me,
be my light and walk beside me;
be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.

Readings:
Exodus 23:20-23
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Hartson Sager Dowd

hsdowd@shaw.ca