While many of us
have felt our angel’s presence at times or at least trust that he’s there, what
do all the guardian angels do when people turn from God? Are they still on
guard? During an
interview with Father Patrick, (not his real name) an exorcist for seven years
who is also a parish priest, he explained that people often ask him where is
God or why aren’t the angels protecting us and stopping all this insanity?
“When the world began, it was the angels’ mission to protect
certain areas,” he said. “The world is engaged in a spiritual battle. The
angels are part of God’s forces, but they operate under the power of God. If we
reject God’s authority over us, then how can the angels help us?”
According to him, when we reject God’s laws, the devil easily moves in and has
greater influence over us.
certain areas,” he said. “The world is engaged in a spiritual battle. The
angels are part of God’s forces, but they operate under the power of God. If we
reject God’s authority over us, then how can the angels help us?”
According to him, when we reject God’s laws, the devil easily moves in and has
greater influence over us.
“The angels have the power to protect and guide us only when
we seek to operate under God’s authority,” Fr. Patrick explained. We
remove ourselves from his protection by going against God’s plan for creation.
we seek to operate under God’s authority,” Fr. Patrick explained. We
remove ourselves from his protection by going against God’s plan for creation.
“If people don’t give God authority, what can the angels do?
Demons—the unholy angels– move in,” he said. So choosing against God
ultimately has wide implications for our culture. “But I’ve seen changes
when God is given authority and where angels were able to be called upon again.
“
Demons—the unholy angels– move in,” he said. So choosing against God
ultimately has wide implications for our culture. “But I’ve seen changes
when God is given authority and where angels were able to be called upon again.
“
Saints on the Angels
The spiritual
vision of the saints gives us some insight on angels. Since they walked closely
with God, it makes sense that the saints often felt the presence of their
angels.
vision of the saints gives us some insight on angels. Since they walked closely
with God, it makes sense that the saints often felt the presence of their
angels.
“Since God
often sends us his inspirations by means of his angels, we ought frequently to
offer him our aspirations through the same channel. … Call on them and honor
them frequently, and ask their help in all your affairs, temporal as well as
spiritual.” – St. Francis de Sales
often sends us his inspirations by means of his angels, we ought frequently to
offer him our aspirations through the same channel. … Call on them and honor
them frequently, and ask their help in all your affairs, temporal as well as
spiritual.” – St. Francis de Sales
“If you
remembered the presence of your angel and the angels of your neighbors, you
would avoid many of the foolish things which slip into your
conversations.” – St. Josemaria Escriva
remembered the presence of your angel and the angels of your neighbors, you
would avoid many of the foolish things which slip into your
conversations.” – St. Josemaria Escriva
“They speak to
us in a reasonable way, just as God inspires them to do. In the sight of God
they praise people who do good deeds but turn away from those who are
evil.” – St. Hildegard of Bingen
us in a reasonable way, just as God inspires them to do. In the sight of God
they praise people who do good deeds but turn away from those who are
evil.” – St. Hildegard of Bingen
“They
provide an everlasting protection for that which appeases God, namely, the calm
of your heart, and they will cast a shadow of protection against all the
attacks of malign spirits.” – St. John Cassian
provide an everlasting protection for that which appeases God, namely, the calm
of your heart, and they will cast a shadow of protection against all the
attacks of malign spirits.” – St. John Cassian
“The powers
of hell will assail the dying Christian; but his angel guardian will come to
console him.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori
of hell will assail the dying Christian; but his angel guardian will come to
console him.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori
|
Padre Pio on Angels
“Invoke
your guardian angel that he will illuminate you and will guide you. God has given him to you for this reason. Therefore use him!” -Padre Pio
Padre Pio had a close friendship with his guardian angel. When he was a young
boy, God granted him the vision of his own guardian angel and those of others. At times the guardian angel of a person came to Padre Pio for prayers for that person.  Msgr. JohnEsseff, a priest for in Scranton, Pennsylvania ordained in 1953, and an exorcist in the diocese of Scranton for over 40 years, was a spiritual director for Mother Teresa and met Padre Pio in 1959. Msgr. Esseff once shared with me that Padre Pio told him that if he (Msgr. Esseff) ever needed help while hearing confessions, to send his guardian angel to him. “And it always helped,” he said.
Why would
anyone send their angel to Padre Pio instead of to God? Angels always act in union with God and he had clearly shown himself through the gifts of Padre Pio. Just as many saints have had the gift of healing, God chooses to manifest himself through his chosen ones.
In the book, Send
Me Your Guardian Angel, about Padre Pio’s relationship with the angels by Fr. Alessio Parente, OFM, relates many stories. He shared how Cecil Humphrey-Smith, one of Padre Pio’s spiritual children from England, had been in a car crash and was badly injured. A friend went to the post office to send a telegram to Padre Pio to ask for prayers for Cecil. When he brought the telegram to the desk, the clerk gave him back a telegram from Padre Pio assuring his prayers for Cecil’s recovery.
Months later,
when Cecil had recovered and visited his spiritual father, he wanted to know how it was that Padre Pio got word of the accident so quickly?
“Do you
think the Angels go as slowly as the planes?” was his reply.
Padre Pio told
people to remain close with their guardian angels through prayer. God gave us each our own guardian angel so surely it delights them to hear from us. As Father Patrick explained, they don’t force themselves on us but await our invitation. Extend an open invitation and make friends with your angel—our friends in high places!
~~~~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
Follow Patti at Twitter and Pinterest, like her pages at Holy Hacks, Dear God Books, Big Hearted Families, Catholic News & Inspiration on Facebook, and her author Facebook page. To receive articles in your inbox, sign up at the right column. Thanks for stopping by. God bless you!
|
