I don't know if this question was asked before but here goes:

Since I was a kid I was not only taught to pray the Our Father and the hail Mary's but also a prayer to a guardian angel.

I think since last year, I've been wondering whether I'm actually doing the right thing. My sister says that the Catholic church allows it.

I just want a simple answer with some Biblical evidence. Don't confuse me please. =)

Mark

-- Mark (mdude22_2000_1999@yahoo.com), September 14, 2004

Answers

The Church teaches ...

"From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 336)

The idea of angels safeguarding and ministering to men was revealed by God even in Old Testament times. "Behold, I am sending an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. (Exodus 23:20)

"As the Lord lives, his angel has been my keeper both going hence and abiding there, and returning from there here" (Judith 13:20)

"For God commands the angels to guard you in all of your ways." (Psalm 91:11-13 )

Satan quoted this very Psalm to Jesus while tempting Him (Luke 4:10), saying in effect, "since God has promised to have angels safeguard men, surely they will also safeguard you, His own Son, if you throw yourself down from here".

Matthew quoted Jesus as saying that specific angels are assigned to specific human beings - "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." (Matt 18:10)

And Paul describes angels this way: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14 )

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), September 14, 2004.

Paul, does that mean that everyone have a guardian angel whether you are a believer or not? Just wondering what the church says in this respect.

-- anthony yong (ajyong@singnet.com.sg), September 14, 2004.

Yes, the Church teaches that every human being is assigned a guardian angel. The second line of the Catechism excerpt I quoted (which incidentally is a quote from St. Basil) doesn't directly adddress that question. But I think the first line (which is not from St. Basil) does.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), September 14, 2004.

has anyone ever had any strange experience where they think the guardian angel may have acted?

ive had too many close calls driving (when i was younger, inexperienced, high-spirited, and maybe just stupid)to not think that maybe there IS "something" keeping me a hair from tragedy....

*queue dream sequence*

the scene-- driving on route 7, tysons corner, virginia, 1990. i was new to the area, and was admiring the scenery off to the right of the car. suddenly, i diverted my attention to my direction of travel, and ever so quickly maneuvered to avoid the stopped car in front of me that had an elderly couple. i could not have been more than 4 feet from ramming them.

craig street, pittsburgh, pa, 1983. walking along, eyes focused on the sidewalk, probably thinking hard about homework or something. i remember feeling suddenly, slightly alarmed, then looking up. i had just enough time to stop myself from walking into a large open window (they opened outward). these were some large, heavy, pieces of glass. would have been embarrasing, if not downright dangerous.

im not making these stories up, as coincidental or unimpressive as they may sound. i havent forgotten them, though, because for both instances i felt as if i was not quite in 100% control of myself. i could SEE the potential for harm ahead of me, but just acted more quickly than i think id be capable of. the help of an angel?

maybe other people have had interesting experiences like this...

-- jas (jas_r_22@hotmail.com), September 14, 2004.

Thank you, Paul. That's all I needed to know!

Mark

-- Mark (mdude22_2000_1999@yahoo.com), September 14, 2004.

You are not alone, Jas.

Mine was during memorial day, 2000. I almost turned into a Mexican tortilla on the freeway.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), September 14, 2004.

I can remember many times feeling like I was being comforted by an angel. It's something private. Those who have felt the presence of angels delight in this truth silently in their hearts.

EB

-- EB (eb12@hotmail.com), September 14, 2004.