Me and my Guardian Angel
While reading Send Me Your Guardian Angel by Fr. Alessio Parente, the author mentioned that Padre Pio had said that the Angels “envy”* us for our ability to suffer for Christ and to receive the Eucharist. I remember thinking, How could that be? The Angels get to see and be with Jesus.
Soon afterward, I attended daily Mass, and after Holy Communion I found myself spiritually sharing the Eucharist with my holy Angel. Then, with my eyes closed, I had a vision of my Angel and me with our arms around each other, cheek to cheek, both smiling brightly with great joy. From that day on, I tried to remember to make this a habit. The Angel had long dark hair and was clothed in white. He had a beautiful face and radiant smile. We truly go to heaven when we go to Mass.
At another time, I became deeply enthralled with the holy Angels, especially Raphael, the Archangel from the Book of Tobit. I began praying that I might be able to see St. Raphael. One night I was suddenly awakened and turned toward my bedroom window. Although the shade was drawn, a great white light was shining into my room from outside. The room became so bright that I thought it was the middle of the day and that I had overslept. But when I looked at the clock, it was 12:30 am. What an awesome grace!
On another occasion, I gave a talk to my young adult group about the Guardian Angels. After the talk a young mother who had come to visit the group, walked over to me and said, “I didn’t know who this was for, but I guess it’s for you!” She then handed me a small statue of an Angel.
I was so thankful because I had asked my Guardian Angel for a sign that he was with me. I still have that gift from my Angel. It is amazing to think that this woman’s Angel may have inspired her to bring me a sign from my own Angel. The Angels truly communicate with one another all the time.
~Mary Beth
*Note of the editor: The expression “envy of the Angels” of which some saints speak of, is not sinful envy but a poetic image of holy admiration. The Angels cannot suffer for Christ nor receive Him sacramentally in the Eucharist. We human beings, by contrast, are granted the unique dignity of participating in Christ’s Passion through suffering and of receiving Him in Holy Communion.
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Guardian Angel Story from the life of St. Stanislaus Kostka
At the age of 14, Stanislaus was sent to Vienna with his older brother Paul to pursue his education. Both initially attended the Jesuit seminary next to the church “Am Hof.” When the seminary building was seized from the Jesuits, the two Kostka brothers had to move to the house behind the church. The landlord was a Lutheran councilman.
Stanislaus, who led a secluded life devoted only to prayer and study, suffered greatly from his reckless brother Paul. Then Stanislaus fell seriously ill, and the doctors finally gave up on him. He knew his situation. He was not afraid at all, but remained calm and resigned. His only concern was that he might have to leave this world without receiving the holy sacraments. He earnestly asked his brother Paul and his tutor Bilinski to ask the landlord not to deny him his last wish. But Bilinski and Paul knew their landlord’s mind. They believed that before the landlord would allow a Catholic priest to enter his house, he would throw them all, including the seriously ill man, out onto the street.
Stanislaus then turned to St. Barbara, and she helped him in a miraculous way. One night, Stanislaus grabbed Bilinski, who was sitting at his bedside, by the arm, shook him violently, and cried, “On your knees!” He then knelt down in bed himself, exclaiming jubilantly, “Behold, St. Barbara! She is coming with two Angels who are bringing me the Most Holy Sacrament.” Three times he prayed, as was customary at the time, “Lord, I am not worthy…”, then he exclaimed with delight: “GOD of my heart!” Then he felt the Holy Host on his lips. After a few moments, he lay down again and remained in devout contemplation for a long time.
On Christmas Eve, a gentle light flooded the sickroom. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Angels, appeared with the Baby Jesus in her arms. She placed her divine Child in the arms of the sick man and told him to do what he had long considered: to join the Society of Jesus. To carry this out, Stanislaus was miraculously and suddenly restored to health.
~Translated from German: Ferdinand Holböck, Vereint mit den Engeln und Heiligen)
[resources: books on angels]