Each night my wife recites the Angel of God prayer in Spanish with my eldest. He prays it with clear precision. Then, I lead him in the same prayer in English. Do you remember it? Here is that famous prayer of our childhood:

At the phrase, “Ever this day …” my son will stumble with his words and say “our daily bread …” An interesting blend of this prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.

Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels. It falls a few days after the Feast of the Archangels on September 29.

These spiritual beings call to mind the vintage television show Touched By An Angel. An angel, portrayed as a person, accompanies someone going through a struggle and when it is time to intervene, they reveal themselves as an angel with divine light radiating behind them. It is a sentimental way of thinking of our Guardian Angels.

Here are fun facts about our divine protectors:

1. Our Guardian Angels mission is to protect us and lead us to life everlasting with God.
2. Our Guardian Angels have names given by God.
3. We do not become Guardian Angels when we die.
4. Our Guardian Angels communicate through thoughts, feelings, and images.
5. Everyone has a Guardian Angel.

We think of angels all the time, especially when we are at the liturgy. We know their voices for they sing around God’s throne: Holy, holy, holy. We join them in this chorus of exultant praise.

On this feast day, our hearts open to the heavenly realities. God gives us these spiritual beings to help us make good decisions in following Christ. They help us praise God at every moment throughout the day. I cannot tell you how often I recognize the intervention of my Guardian Angel. Always there right before I stumble or make a mistake and the words of the psalmist immediately come to mind, “For to his angels he has given a command, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

Angels remind me that heaven will not be lonely. Along with my loved ones, Mary, and all the saints, countless angels will surround God’s throne forever singing his praises.

Be aware this divine presence, ask your Guardian Angel to help you pray, to help you focus on God throughout the difficult moments of the day. Ask your angel to help you praise God and live with gratitude for everything is gift.