2 October: Feast of the Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels have always accompanied the existence of human beings, acting as messengers, counsellors in everyday life, and protectors against temptations and the snares of evil

On 2 October each year, millions of people around the world celebrate the Feast of the Guardian Angels – a special occasion to honour and thank these celestial and ethereal beings who watch over us, serving as intermediaries between each individual and Heaven, as protectors, confidants, and guardians of our secrets and most intimate fears.
It is believed that each person is assigned a Guardian Angel who prays for them, protects them from danger, and guides them along life’s path.
This feast holds significance in the Christian religious tradition and has deep roots in the history of the Catholic Church. It offers a special opportunity for those who believe in the existence of Guardian Angels to dedicate the day to reflecting on their protection and guidance in everyday life.

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The existence of Angels is a recognised dogma of faith, and the celebration of Guardian Angels has a long history that dates back to the early years of Christianity. However, the feast as we know it today was officially established in 1670 under the papacy of Pope Clement X. It was originally celebrated in September, but the date was soon changed to 2 October, where it remains today. For this reason, September is still often considered the month dedicated to angels.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is celebrated with prayers and reflections on the presence and protection of these Angels, and many Catholic churches hold special Masses in their honour. Some people choose to perform acts of kindness on 2 October in honour of their Guardian Angels, such as helping others, making donations, or simply being more compassionate and caring.

The idea of Guardian Angels comes from Holy Scripture. In the Bible, they appear in several passages as protectors and guardians of the men and women dear to God, who sends them to guard against the snares of demons. In this sense, faith in Guardian Angels has always belonged to Christianity, as well as to many other religious traditions, which likewise recognise the existence of spiritual beings tasked with watching over people and helping them face their daily challenges.
The veneration of Angels predates that of Saints, and their worship is an ancient practice that has evolved over the ages.
With the evolution of Christianity in both East and West, the bond between Guardian Angels and humanity has grown ever stronger. In the medieval era, monks frequently invoked Guardian Angels in their prayers and supplications. During the Renaissance, their stories and invocations were largely directed towards children. But after the Council of Trent, devotion to Guardian Angels regained strength, to the point that it became necessary to create a specific field of study: angelology, a doctrine dedicated to angels, which illustrates what the Bible says about them and studies how they have acted and continue to act as intermediaries between humanity and God through the centuries.

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The Feast of the Guardian Angels and Grandparents’ Day

In Italy, 2 October is not only a special day dedicated to Guardian Angels. On this date, we also celebrate Grandparents’ Day, which was added to the Italian calendar through a specific law published in the Official Gazette on 12 August 2005, recognising “the importance of the role played by grandparents within families and society at large.” Other countries also celebrate Grandparents’ Day, though on different dates.

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It is noteworthy that this date coincides with the religious feast of the Guardian Angels, further highlighting the importance of grandparents. Grandparents are often seen as true Guardian Angels in the flesh. However, while their role was once widely recognised and respected, this is less often the case today.
Keepers of ancient wisdom passed down orally from generation to generation, people once turned to them for advice and guidance when faced with difficult decisions. But the modern world, with its fast pace and focus on efficiency and success at all costs, has led to a decline in some of these traditions.
That is why Grandparents’ Day on 2 October is so important. The Italian Parliament wanted to formalise the importance of grandparents – not only as an economic support (as they often help families save on childcare and babysitting costs), but also as custodians of wisdom and knowledge that must be passed down to younger generations.
They carry with them a treasure trove of knowledge, lived experiences, and stories that intertwine with recent history, often overlooked in school textbooks. This heritage is invaluable for the education of the young, helping them to develop a strong civic and historical awareness.

Who Are the Guardian Angels in Christian Tradition?

According to tradition, angels are divided into hosts and hierarchies, outlined in ancient classifications such as the famous De coelesti hierarchia by Pseudo-Dionysius, who defined three main hierarchies, each of which includes three orders or choirs – for a total of nine types of angels:

In the First Hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones
In the Second Hierarchy: Dominions, Virtues, and Powers
In the Third Hierarchy: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels

This same classification was later adopted by Saint Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica.

Guardian Angels therefore fall under the Third Hierarchy – the lowest – but they form a special order within this very hierarchy, as they are the closest to human beings and their daily lives. They reside in the cosmic space nearest to Earth, a place symbolised by the Moon, and their presence is intimate and constant.
They are also considered divine messengers, tasked with communicating with humankind. The word “angel” itself comes from the Greek anghelos, meaning “messenger.”

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

From childhood, we learn the Angel of God prayer – perhaps the most famous invocation to the Guardian Angel. In truth, there are many other prayers invoking the various angelic hierarchies, such as the Angelic Crown, also known as the Rosary of Saint Michael, which is recited in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel and the heavenly choirs, asking them to intercede with God for blessings and graces.

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Angel of God

Also known as Angele Dei in Latin, the Angel of God prayer is deeply rooted in the Catholic religious tradition.
This ancient prayer, dating back to the medieval period, is widespread throughout the Catholic world and holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
It is often taught to children as a way to help them understand how to speak to their Guardian Angel – their guide, companion, and protector against temptation and sin.
Reciting the Angel of God prayer opens a direct channel of dialogue with God – an intimate and profound way to communicate with one’s assigned Guardian Angel, and with the One who placed that angel by our side.

Angel of God
who are my guardian,
enlighten me, guard me,
direct and govern me,
who was entrusted to you
by Heavenly Mercy.
Amen.

Guardian Angel Prayer by Padre Pio

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina often spoke with his own Guardian Angel and claimed to have felt his presence beside him since childhood.
To him we owe a beautiful prayer to the Guardian Angel, one that can be recited by children in the evening, but is suitable for all ages:

O Holy Guardian Angel,
take care of my soul and my body.
Enlighten my mind so that I may know the Lord better
and love Him with all my heart.
Assist me in my prayers so I do not give in to distractions,
but pay the greatest attention.
Help me with your advice so that I may see the good
and carry it out generously.
Defend me from the snares of the infernal enemy and support me in temptations,
so that I may always emerge victorious.
Make up for my coldness in the worship of the Lord:
do not cease to watch over me
until you have brought me to Heaven,
where we shall praise the Good God together for all eternity.