Celebrating the Feast of the Guardian Angels at Guardian Angels Parish
The Feast of the Guardian Angels, celebrated each year on October 2nd, is a time for the faithful to reflect on the role of these heavenly beings who protect and guide us. For Guardian Angels Parish, this feast holds special meaning, as our parish is named in their honor. As such, we are granted the privilege to move the celebration to the weekend, allowing more of the faithful to participate in this important event.
This year, the Feast of the Guardian Angels will be observed at our parish on the weekend of October 5th and 6th, with a special celebration following the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 6th. This change provides the opportunity for greater attendance, giving everyone a chance to come together in thanksgiving for the guidance and protection of our guardian angels.
The Role of Guardian Angels in Catholic Teaching
The Church teaches that God assigns each of us a guardian angel from the moment of our birth, charged with guiding, protecting, and praying for us throughout our lives. These angels, referenced in both Sacred Scripture and Tradition, act as intermediaries between heaven and earth, leading souls toward holiness. In Matthew 18:10, Jesus speaks of angels who behold the face of God, reminding us that guardian angels are always in the presence of God while also watching over us.
The devotion to guardian angels is an essential part of the Catholic faith, fostering a deeper awareness of God's care for us. Guardian angels help keep us away from sin, protect us from harm, and intercede for us before the throne of God. For our parish, dedicated to the Guardian Angels, this feast day is an especially powerful reminder of God’s protection through these spiritual beings.
Parish Celebration for the Feast of the Guardian Angels
To mark this special occasion, Guardian Angels Parish will hold a celebration after the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 6th. There will be a parish picnic featuring food prepared by the Men's Club, who will handle the grilling, and various activities organized by the ministry team. All are invited to take part in this event, which will be a time for fellowship and thanksgiving.
This gathering serves as a reflection of our gratitude for the guardianship of the angels and a chance to draw closer to the reverence of this feast day. Moving the celebration to the weekend allows more of the faithful to join in honoring our heavenly protectors, as the feast is elevated to a solemnity for our parish due to its special patronage.
A Call to Prayer and Reflection
As we approach this feast, let us renew our trust in the care and guidance of our guardian angels. They are constant companions in our lives, helping us to follow God's will and avoid the temptations of sin. Praying the traditional prayer to the guardian angel is an excellent way to acknowledge this protection:
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.
We hope that this year’s celebration of the Feast of the Guardian Angels will lead us all to greater devotion and trust in God's providence through these heavenly protectors. May our guardian angels continue to guide us, both as individuals and as a parish, as we strive to grow in holiness and remain faithful to God’s will.
In Christ, Fr. Joe Connelly