In short: In the Christian tradition, the guardian angel is an angel whom God has placed at every person’s side. The Church celebrates the Holy Guardian Angels on 2 October. As a gift it stands for being kept safe: it suits a christening, a birth, the start of school, a journey and recovery. We stock guardian angel pictures, magnets and pendants from €9.90, many of them blessed.
What the Church teaches about the guardian angels, the biblical passages and the feast on 2 October we explain in the Saints’ Lexicon: The Holy Guardian Angels. Here it is mainly about the guardian angel in family life and as a gift.
Hardly any motif is as popular as the guardian angel. Children learn the prayer “Angel of God” early, and adults hang an angel picture above the bed or carry an angel with them. Behind the picture lies an old conviction. This article explains where it comes from, how to call on the guardian angel and which gifts suit it.
What is a guardian angel?
In the Bible, angels are messengers of God. Several passages speak of them accompanying people. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that the angels of the children in heaven always see the face of the Father (Matthew 18:10). Psalm 91 speaks of God charging his angels to keep a person in all his ways. From this the tradition developed that an angel is assigned to every person. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it like this: from infancy to death, human life is surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of the angels (CCC 336).
The classification matters: the guardian angel is not a bringer of luck and not a spell. It is an image of God’s care. The Church’s teaching says that angels act, but not that nothing bad will happen. That is why, with our items, we do not speak of promises of protection but of companions.
When is the Feast of the Guardian Angels?
The Holy Guardian Angels are celebrated on 2 October. The feast was introduced generally in the 17th century. It comes shortly after the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael on 29 September. Guardian Angels’ Day is a good occasion to give someone a small sign. They do not have to be devout for that: the thought “you are being kept safe” goes down well with many people.
The guardian angel prayer
Many children learn the best-known prayer even before school:
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.
It can be said in the evening before falling asleep or before a journey. Some pictures carry a children’s prayer on the back, such as the guardian angel picture 12 × 17 cm “Angel leads children across bridge” with children’s prayer (€19.90).
How many guardian angels does a person have?
The Church teaches: one. Some prayers speak of several, for example the evening prayer “When at night I go to sleep, fourteen angels watch do keep”. That is a poetic image of great security, not a doctrine. The motif is available as the guardian angel picture 18 × 18 cm with the German inscription “Vierzehn Englein bei mir stehn” (“fourteen little angels stand by me”) (€19.90).
Gift ideas with a guardian angel
For christenings and births
The classic: the guardian angel with baby magnet (€13.90, blessed, with velvet pouch) or the heart-shaped picture with angel and lantern (€17.90). More in the article Christening gifts from godparents and grandparents.
For the nursery and the start of school
Wall pictures in wooden frames or to stand up, for example the wall picture in a wooden frame (€19.90, blessed) and the guardian angel picture in a gold frame (€19.90, blessed). Both are blessed.
For journeys and passing the driving test
The St Christopher and guardian angel keyring (€14.90) joins two companions in one pendant. More in the article A driving test gift.
As a sign for people in a hard time
Anyone wanting to give something to a sick or grieving person should choose simple things. The olive wood angel pendant (€9.90, blessed) or the olive wood comfort cross (€9.90) are unobtrusive. Add a few personal lines.
For Christmas
In the Christmas story, angels announce the birth of Jesus. That is why they suit the foot of the tree. More ideas in the article Christian Christmas gifts.
Explaining the guardian angel to children
Children understand the guardian angel best as a friend who is always there. You do not have to explain everything. A few simple sentences are enough: “God has put an angel at the side of each of us. You cannot see it, but you may talk to it.” What matters is that the angel is not used as a threat. Sentences such as “Your guardian angel is sad when you do that” are more likely to unsettle children. Better is the image of security: the picture above the bed, the short prayer in the evening and the certainty that someone is watching when the parents turn off the light.
Adults, too, sometimes find the subject difficult. They are sceptical when angels seem too kitschy or too esoteric. Here a look at the Bible helps: there, angels mostly appear calmly and bring messages; they are not cute figures. Simple motifs without much glitter often suit adults better.
Small rituals with the guardian angel
- In the evening: Say the angel prayer together, then a word of thanks for the day.
- Before a journey: Wish the guardian angel a good journey. Many parents give their children a blessing before the walk to school.
- On a name day or birthday: An angel picture as a keepsake that grows with the child.
- In times of worry: A little angel in your pocket, such as a holding piece, can be a quiet presence.
What is the difference between a guardian angel and an archangel?
Archangels have a name of their own and a special task: Michael fights evil, Gabriel delivers messages, Raphael heals and accompanies travellers. The guardian angel, by contrast, is assigned personally and accompanies one individual. Both have feast days of their own.
Blessed and with a certificate
A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda blesses many of our items in our warehouse. A certificate the size of a business card, showing the date of the blessing, is enclosed. Which items are blessed is stated in the product title. You will find all the angel motifs in the Guardian angels collection. Shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; Italy €6.90, Spain €6.90. You have 30-day returns.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Feast of the Guardian Angels?
On 2 October. It follows the feast of the archangels on 29 September.
What is the guardian angel prayer called?
The best known begins “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here.” It is often learned by children and prayed in the evening or before journeys.
Does every person have a guardian angel?
According to Catholic tradition, yes: an angel is assigned to every person and accompanies them. The Catechism speaks of the protection of the angels from infancy to death.
What do you give with a guardian angel?
Typical occasions are christening, birth, the start of school, journeys, illness and Christmas. Pictures, magnets and pendants are popular, all from €9.90.
Is a guardian angel a bringer of luck?
No. It is a Christian sign of God’s care. We do not promise protection; we offer a companion in faith.
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