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That men are under the guardianship of the angels is of
faith: "For He hath given His angels charge over
thee: to keep thee in all thy ways."[1236] Christ
Himself commanded that children should not be scandalized
because "their angels in heaven always see the face of My
Father."[1237]
The. testimony of tradition is confirmed by the
institution of the feast of the Guardian Angels. The
theological reason for the guardianship of the angels is
that God usually governs the lower beings through the
higher. Besides this, man is a pilgrim and there are
many dangers along the way, both interior and exterior.
Just as protection is given a man on a dangerous road, so
God gives every man a guardian during this life. When a
man arrives at the end of his journey he will not have a
guardian angel but an angel who will rule with him. It is
certain that each of the faithful has his own guardian
angel.[1238] It is also commonly held that sinners
and infidels have guardian angels so that these sinners may
do less harm. It is also very probable that an angel is
specially deputed to assist every priest celebrating
Mass.
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