CHAPTER XXXV: QUESTION 113 THE GUARDIAN ANGELS


FIRST ARTICLE: THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE ANGELS

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.