Aloha,

This Fearless Friday, we are going to celebrate the Feast of the Guardian Angels. This feast has been celebrated for centuries, but Pope Clement X elevated this feast and made the official day of its celebration October 2 in the 1670s. Feast days or holy days are celebrations that commemorate the sacred mysteries or a pivotal event in history. I think of them as an opportunity for us to connect with the divine. For hundreds of years, millions of people have celebrated this feast so we can use that energy to tune into and celebrate our Guardian angels.

Here is a meditation written by Pope John XXIII for the Feast of the Guardian Angels in 1959. I  liked the way he explained guardian angels, so I decided to share it with you.

According to the teaching of the Roman catechism, we must remember how admirable was the intention of divine Providence in entrusting to the angels the mission of watching over all mankind, and over individual human beings, lest they should fall victims to the grave dangers which they encounter. In this earthly life, when children have to make their way along a path beset with obstacles and snares, their fathers take care to call upon the help of those who can look after them and come to their aid in adversity. In the same way our Father in heaven has charged his angels to come to our assistance during our earthly journey which leads us to our blessed fatherland, so that, protected by the angels’ help and care, we may avoid the snares upon our path, subdue our passions and, under this angelic guidance, follow always the straight and sure road which leads to Paradise…

Everyone of us is entrusted to the care of an angel.

That is why we must have a lively and profound devotion to our own Guardian Angel, and why we should often and trustfully repeat the dear prayer we were taught in the days of our childhood.

May we never fail in this devotion to the angels! During our earthly pilgrimage we may often run the risk of having to face the natural elements in turmoil, or the wrath of men who may seek to do us harm. But our Guardian Angel is always present. Let us never forget him and always remember to pray to him.

Here is a traditional prayer I found that I also liked:

Guardian Angel from heaven so bright,
Watching beside me to lead me aright,
Fold your wings ’round me,
and guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me
of heaven above.
Amen.

What a gift to have a day just to celebrate our guardian angels.

With love and aloha,
Susan

Angels are all around us and I am sure they appreciate a thank you now and again.