As for angels, there are one a handful of things that the Church can say it definitively knows about them. The number of doctrinal matters that the Church has defined as definitively true are relatively few, he said. Porter said that while the idea of personal guardian angels is a broadly held belief in the Church, it is not a doctrine of the Church - that is, it is not a belief neccesary for salvation, or binding upon Catholics. Philip Porter, PhD, is a theologian at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and wrote his dissertation on the fall of the angels. The Pillar brought our questions about all things guardian angels to several Catholic theologians and experts to find out more. So where did this idea come from? And how does it all work? Still, the Church celebrates a feast for the guardian angels on Oct.
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‘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.” Amen.” Credit: Victorian Traditions / Shutterstock.īut while Scripture frequently mentions angels assisting mankind, it does not specifically state that each person is guarded by a particular angel.Įven in the Catechism, guardian angels receive just a short paragraph of explanation: “From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (guardian angels’) watchful care and intercession. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide.
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One of the first prayers many cradle Catholics are taught is directed to their guardian angels: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here.