Angels in the Architecture

Both Diana and I are huge fans of the Angels. We each have given our Guardian Angels a name. Mine's Cecil, after St. Cecilia, the patron of musicians. I gave him the masculine form because any Guardian Angel of mine must be one tough Angel, and let's face it, Cecilia is too feminine a name for such a tough creature. Both Diana and I have this running joke that our Guardian Angels hit the Heavenly Pub together to commiserate about what pains in the rear we both are to guard.

I for one have experienced my share of spiritual attacks. I don't like to speak for my blogging partner, but I'm positive Diana would tell you that she has as well (hence the running joke). A few days ago, she posted the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. She did this after I shared with her some of the difficulties I've faced as I prepare for an upcoming Cursillo weekend that I'm working. (THANK YOU, DIANA!)

This prayer has become my mantra. It sits on my desk so I can pray it all day as I go about my daily routine...and believe me, I do pray it.

St. Michael, the Prince of the Heavenly Host, wasn't created as the greatest of the Angels. That would be Lucifer; but Lucifer in his pride shattered his union with our Lord, and was cast out of heaven. He not only refused to serve, but suckered 1/3 of the angels into not serving right along with him. How does that saying go again---better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven? Pride is a dangerous sin.

The little bugger is still at it. He's constantly whispering in our ears to do things that deep down we know are wrong. None of us is immune, either. Our eternal enemy helps us rationalize, feeds our emotions, and twists the truth so that we'll fall prey and lose our souls to him, too.

It's why I turn to the Angels--especially to St. Michael the Archangel and to my Guardian Angel. We read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel.' With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word".

As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.

Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him." (CCC 329-331)

St. Michael the Archangel was not seduced by the lies of Lucifer, nor was my Guardian Angel. They have the capacity to defeat even the most beautiful, brilliant and powerful spirit of creation, because they rely on the Lord alone for their strength. They not only serve as our guardians and protectors, they serve as our example.

L'Angelo Custode, 1640

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri

Prayer to My Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my Guardian dear,

to whom His love commits me here,

ever this day be at my side,

to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Amen.