Guardian Angels

What they are

Angels are spiritual creatures with intellect and will, and many are assigned to guard and guide God's people. The Catechism teaches that from beginning to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession (CCC 336).

In Scripture

• God commands his angels to guard us in all our ways (Psalm 91:11-12).
• Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who are to inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
• Jesus warns not to despise the little ones, for their angels always behold the Father's face (Matthew 18:10).

Why pray to them?

Catholics do not worship angels; worship belongs to God alone. We ask their intercession, as we ask the saints and friends to pray for us. If the prayer of a righteous person is powerful (James 5:16), how much more that of the saints made perfect (Hebrews 12:23) and of the angels who behold the Father's face (Matthew 18:10).

Guardian Angel Prayer: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide. Amen.

Does everyone have one?

The Church definitively teaches that every baptized person has a guardian angel, and commonly teaches that every person does. St. Jerome, on Matthew 18:10, marvels that every person has from birth an angel for protection, and St. Thomas Aquinas agrees (Summa Theologiae I, q. 113, a. 2). God assigns them; we do not choose them.

What they do and do not do

They protect us from spiritual harm, guide our conscience, intercede for us, inspire good thoughts and warn us of danger, including from demons active in the occult (CCC 2116-2117). They respect our free will and cannot force us to do good. They do not replace God, grace or our responsibility. Public revelation ended with Christ, so any angelic message must agree with it. Angels do not reveal secret knowledge on demand, give personal prophecies on request, or bypass God's authority. Claims like "signs your guardian angel is contacting you" should be dismissed as superstition. The best way to stay close to your angel is a strong interior life of prayer, the Eucharist and confession (see 1 Kings 19:11-13; Romans 8:28).

Naming your angel

We should not name our guardian angel, since naming implies authority, which belongs to God, nor try to discover its name, which could open us to evil spirits impersonating it. Scripture reveals only Gabriel, Michael and Raphael, and angels rebuked those who asked their names (Genesis 32:24-29; Judges 13:18). The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy warns against childishly ascribing every setback to the devil and every success to the guardian angels. Belief in guardian angels is grounded in Scripture and affirmed by the Magisterium (see CCC 85-87).