Angels All Around: Celebrating the Archangels and Guardian Angels

As the seasons shift to fall in the northern hemisphere, the church turns to the celebration of the Feast of the Archangels on September 29th, followed by the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2nd. These holy days offer a wonderful opportunity to teach our children about the powerful and protective presence of angels in our lives.

Archangels; Our Defenders and Protectors

The Archangels - Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - hold a special place in the Catholic tradition. St. Michael the Archangel is known as the "Prince of the Heavenly Host," a mighty warrior who defends us against the forces of evil. St. Gabriel is the messenger of God, bringing news of great joy, like the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. And St. Raphael is the "healing angel," who is also a protector against nightmares.

The feast of Archangels is often called Michaelmas and there are many wonderful traditions celebrating the feast. From blackberries, to Michaelmas daisies, to roast duck, families can learn about and adopt these traditions into their own practices of observing the liturgical year.

Guardian Angels; Our Guides to Jesus

In addition to the presence of the Archangels in our lives, each and every one of us has been blessed with a guardian angel - a personal protector sent by God to watch over us, guide us, and keep us safe. As St. Basil the Great wrote, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."

St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese saint who experienced tremendous suffering as a child slave, spoke often of the comfort and strength she received from her guardian angel. "She was always there," Bakhita said, "and she gave me the courage to go on."

This is a wonderful occasion to reassure children of the presence of angels around us, fighting for us and protecting us and offering God's guidance. To celebrate the feast of Guardian Angels families can learn to pray the simple but powerful 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 and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."