You cannot see them. You cannot hear them. And yet, they are there. Tirelessly watching over us, guiding, protecting, inspiring good thoughts, and battling evil. They are not distant beings of light or mere symbols from ancient stories – they are real. From the first to the last page of Holy Scripture, we encounter them: guarding Paradise (Gen 3:24), leading the people of Israel (Ex 23:20), appearing to Mary (Lk 1:26–28), proclaiming Christ’s birth to the shepherds (Lk 2:9–14), strengthening the Lord in Gethsemane (Lk 22:43), rolling away the stone from the tomb (Mt 28:2). And not only the great figures of salvation history – every single person has an angel by their side. An invisible, yet deeply real friendship, gifted to us by God Himself.
The World of Angels
God created the angels as pure spirits. They are not a people with changing minds or shifting opinions, but beings of perfect knowledge and unwavering will. An angel does not grow or learn like a human. He knows – and he acts. But not all angels remained faithful to God. Lucifer, in his pride, desired to be like God – and became the enemy of truth. With him, other angels fell and became demons, enemies of the light. Since then, this battle between good and evil, truth and falsehood, rages – not only in the world but in every human heart.
The Guardian Angel – A Silent Companion
No one is ever truly alone. Not for a single moment. Even in our deepest loneliness, there is someone who watches over us, comforts us, and shows us the way. Our guardian angel accompanies us from the first moment of our life into eternity. Jesus says: “Their angels in heaven always behold the face of my heavenly Father” (Mt 18:10). This means: our angel is not only our protector but also our advocate before God. He carries our prayers up and brings God’s graces down.
How many times has he protected us from harm? How often has he placed a thought in our heart that kept us from sin? And how often have we ignored his gentle voice? The saints lived in close awareness of their angels. St. Padre Pio could even see and speak with them. St. Francis de Sales asked his angel each morning to help him remain gentle. But even those who feel nothing can be sure: their angel never leaves their side.
The Angels in the Holy Mass
In every Holy Mass, the angels are present. They pray with us, kneel before the altar, and rejoice in the sacred offering. When we sing the Sanctus – “Holy, Holy, Holy” – it is their eternal hymn before the throne of God. In the Roman Canon, we pray: “May your holy angel take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven.” The Holy Mass is not a purely earthly act – it is part of the heavenly liturgy, in which we stand before God with all the angels and saints.
The Angels and Our Lives
So what is our part? How can we learn to live with the angels? It begins with attentiveness. With a simple prayer. With conscious trust. Whoever asks their angel for help will experience his guidance.
“Holy Angel, stay by my side. Enlighten me when I am confused. Strengthen me when I am weak. Keep me from evil and lead me to God. Amen.”