Right from the beginning, in the story of Creation and of the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, angels have been present.
They are present in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament. They are mentioned hundreds of times in the scriptures.
Whether we are aware of them or not, they are present in our lives as well. They are God's messengers, ministers, guardians and warriors.
We would do well not to discount the reality of them, and miss the blessings they bring into our lives, in accordance with the will of God.
We should not worship angels, as they are our fellow servants. But we would do well to honor them, appreciate them and love them.
I have a special love of angels, and have been blessed all my life by their protection, guidance and comfort.
Barbara Hartwell
December 21, 2025
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:7-11
"From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their [angels’] 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."
-The Catechism of the Catholic Church
"Invoke often this Guardian Angel, this benevolent Angel and repeat the beautiful prayer:
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. AMEN."
"Invoke your Guardian Angel that he illuminate you and will guide you. God has given him to you for this reason. Therefore use him! Send me your Guardian Angel—he doesn’t have to pay a ticket for the train and he doesn’t wear out his shoes."
-St. Padre Pio
"Yet, though the fact that the angels are the work of God…it is indeed not explicitly mentioned; but elsewhere Holy Scripture asserts it in the clearest manner. For…here the angels are most expressly and by divine authority said to have been made by God, for of them among the other heavenly things it is said, “He commanded, and they were created” (Ps 148). Who, then, will be bold enough to suggest that the angels were made after the six days’ creation? If any one is so foolish, his folly is disposed of by a Scripture of like authority, where God says, “When the stars were made, the angels praised me with a loud voice." (Job 38:7).
-St. Augustine, City of God
"Our guardian angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought often to invoke them."
-St. John Vianney
"My holy Guardian Angel, cover me with your wing. With your fire light the road that I’m taking. Come, direct my steps… help me, I call upon you. Just for today."
-St. Thérèse of Lisieux
"We should show our affection for the angels, for one day they will be our co-heirs just as here below they are our guardians and trustees appointed and set over us by the Father."
-St. Bernard of Clairvaux
"The angels are our brothers and fellow servants in a world of freedom and of grace. Like us, they are saved by Christ the Lord. With Christ their King and sent by his command, they come to us as invisible messengers of his divine will, as mysterious protectors and friends in the spiritual order. Their presence around us, unimaginable, tender, solicitous and mighty, terrible as it is gentle, is more and more forgotten while the personal horizon of our spiritual vision shrinks and closes in upon ourselves."
-Thomas Merton
