Between 23 September and 2 October there are two interesting feasts which are worth remembering. The first one is that of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and the second one is that of the Guardian Angels.
Catholic spirituality's power of comforting is undisputed. It is beautiful and consoling to know that we all have a particular angel, given to us by the loving Almighty Father in Heaven, to protect us from all sorts of dangers as we journey towards our Eternal Home.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that "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. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God." (§ 336). The origin of the guardian angel goes back to the Gospel of Matthew. The Matthean Jesus says: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt 18:10). Therefore, by his saying, Jesus revealed to humanity that every person is assisted by an angel, provided of course that the person is open to the direction of the angel involved. This fact shows the extent to which God loves and respects us. Saint Jerome commented: "The dignity of a soul is so great, that each has a guardian angel from its birth."
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, the stigmatized Franciscan Capuchin priest, was very fond of his guardian angel. He used to say: "My Guardian Angel has been my friend since my infancy." Padre Pio had a special rapport with his guardian angel. The holy friar of Gargano gives us a detailed description of his intimate friendship with his heavenly protector. "Little companion of my infancy, angiolino, angioletto, my secretary, inseparable companion, celestial person, celestial messenger, brother, friend, prevents danger, one of the family, translates for me the letters in other languages, I send him to console people suffering, prevents from stumbling, never lives us alone for an instant, from the cradle to the grave, even when we are sinning."
Our guardian angel is the one who accompanies us in our loving relationship with Jesus Christ. As a young friar, Padre Pio wrote this profound reflection which explains with how much love our guardian angel orients our hearts to God. In a letter to his confessor, Padre Pio said: "When I close my eyes and the night comes, I can see the Heaven that appears in front of me. I am encouraged by this vision so I can sleep with a sweet smile on the lips and with a perfect calm on the forehead waiting my small companion of my infancy came to wake me up and start praying together prayers to the beloved of our hearts."
The guardian angel protects us by his presence against the snares of the evil one. In another letter to his spiritual director dated 5 November 1912, Padre Pio confided: "I cannot tell you the way these scoundrels [the demons] beat me. Sometimes I feel I am about to die.
On Saturday, it seemed to me that they intended to put an end to me and I did not know what saint to invoke. I turned to my angel and after he had kept me waiting a while, there he was hovering close to me, singing hymns to the divine Majesty in his angelic voice. . . I rebuked him bitterly for having kept me waiting so long when I had not failed to call him to my assistance. To punish him, I did not want to look him in the face; I wanted to get away, to escape from him. But he, poor creature, caught up with me almost in tears and held me until I raised my eyes to his face and found him all upset. Then he said: 'I am always close to you, my beloved young man . . .'"
Invoke, talk and send your guardian angel to help those who need your help. He will never betray you. He is your inseparable companion!
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
Paola