the Old Testament and New Testament, from Genesis to Revelation, there are two hundred and twenty-seven references to angels. Saint Gregory the Great (540–604) said, “Nearly every page of Scripture testifies to the fact that there are angels and archangels.” A pope, Scripture scholar, and one of the Doctors of the Church, Gregory would also point out that his belief in the angels didn’t come only from his studies and from the testimony of the Bible. You will learn about one of his personal experiences with angels in the reading for his feast day, September 3.
You will also read the stories of early martyrs who received courage and consolation from angels. These stories inspired other Christians to be steadfast in their faith. You will hear from the great Fathers and Doctors of the Church who shaped what the Church believes and teaches about angels. (By the way, Doctor of the Church is an official title given by the pope for the outstanding contribution a person has made to the Church in the understanding and/or development of Scripture, theology, and doctrine. There are presently thirty-five Doctors of the Church — four are women.) You will smile at the anecdotes about Saint (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968), who saw and spoke to angels as old friends and received prayer requests from guardian angels on behalf of others. You will be amazed at the accounts of ordinary people who had encounters with angels.
You will also recognize throughout the weeks and months ahead that angels can inspire your reflections and prayers. Thinking about their constancy, their orientation to God above everything else, can impact the way you see your life and your journey to God. The Church assures us that angels definitely do exist and that every person has an angel guardian “to light and guard, to rule and guide” as the Guardian Angel Prayer says. “Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for, without being seen, they are present with you,” wrote Saint Francis de Sales, a seventeenth-century bishop.
On October 2, 2014, on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Pope Francis reminded us that guardian angels are primarily concerned with helping us reach heaven, their home and our true home, where we will join them in eternally praising God. Warning us not to ignore the angels among us, Pope Francis said, “Guardian angels are not the stuff of fantasy. They are really present as wise travel companions. Nobody walks alone, and none of us can believe we are alone. All of us have an angel who watches over us and lets us hear — deep inside — wise words meant to help us make the right choices…. It’s the voice of your travel companion helping you to navigate life’s journey. Be confident that this advice will take you through to the end of your life.” The Lord said, “See, I am sending my angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him” (Exodus 23:20–21).
May your year of encounters with Angels of the Lord be full of blessings and new knowledge of God’s amazing love.
January 1
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
“The Angel of the Lord Declared unto Mary”
When Pope Francis greeted three million young Catholics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day 2013, he was setting the tone for his papacy. He prayed the Angelus with the young people and then explained why. “The Angelus prayer is a beautiful popular expression of the faith,” Pope Francis said. “It is a simple prayer, recited at three specific times during the day. It thus punctuates the rhythm of our daily activities: in the morning, at midday, and at sunset. It reminds us of the luminous event that transformed history: the Incarnation, the moment when the Son of God became man in Jesus of Nazareth. Every time we pray the Angelus, we recall the event that changed the history of mankind forever.”
As this brand new year begins, consider putting prayer into the rhythm of your day. Let it become a normal, natural, necessary part of your life. Consider praying the Angelus in the traditional way — in the morning, at midday, and at sunset (see the appendix, page 377). “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” 1
January 2
Saint Basil the Great (c. 330–379)
Angels on Alert
Saint Basil valiantly defended the teachings of the Church from heresy but also encouraged fellow Christians by writing about the angels God sends to support and protect us. “Beside each believer,” Basil said, “stands an angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life.” He also said that “an angel is assigned, who guards the soul like an army on alert.” That guardian angel “will not retreat from us, unless we drive him away.” Basil did not mince words about sin and repentance: “Sin turns away angels as smoke turns away bees and a nasty stench puts doves to flight.”2
Angel of mine, protect me from the destruction of sin. Mount a strong defense of my soul, and lead me to eternal life. Amen.
January 3
The Angel of the Lord Appeared in a Dream
In order to safeguard the newborn Lord, Joseph and Mary cooperated with angelic warnings and messages. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that “the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.” The angel told Joseph to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt to escape the soldiers Herod sent to slaughter all of the male infants. When Herod died, the angel again “appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt” and told him that it was safe to return with his family to the land of Israel (Matthew 2:12–13, 19–20).
Lord Jesus, help me to hear and heed your messages and to follow your directives. Mindful that angels appear in mysterious and wonderful ways, I pray that you will enable me to always be open to your designs for me.
January 4
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821)
Angels Taking Watch
Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American to be canonized. After her husband, William, died, she converted to Catholicism, but struggled against religious prejudice and found it difficult to support her family. A deep love for her Catholic faith shaped Elizabeth’s vision. “If we beheld a soul after baptism with the eyes of faith,” she wrote, “we would see angels taking their watch around it.” Her strong faith grounded her. Despite hardship and setbacks, Elizabeth established the first Catholic school in the nation at Emmitsburg, Maryland, and founded the first American congregation of religious women, the Sisters of Charity.3
Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith. (1 Peter 1:8–9)
January 5
Wings of an Angel?
Although artists have often portrayed angels with wings, angels don’t have wings — or bodies. They are created spirits who love, think, make choices, and have free will. They can appear in any form but have usually appeared as humans. Angels known as cherubim and seraphim were sometimes
