A lifetime ago I taught a CCE class at St. Mary’s back home. I wanted so much to be an angel— not a saint, an angel— that I mentioned this tasty morsel to the other catechists at our Christmas luncheon.
The director, who overheard, chided me.
Don’t you know that angels were never human? That they’re nothing more than God’s helpers? That God loves us infinitely more than angels? You should want to be a saint!
I was crushed!
Field of angels
That night I dreamt I was standing in a field at dusk. The flapping sounds all around me kept getting louder and louder. I wondered if I was standing at the airport near mom’s house. Then, lo and behold, what a sight!
As evening became nighttime, more and more angels were landing all around me. Lots of angels. A whole field full of angels gracefully landing and lifting off. Some my height, others much taller. All willowy. All with the same peaceful yet intense expression. All so very elegant, purposeful; all so very real.
I had no idea what was happening. I was awestruck to be in the presence of these gorgeous beings that were either oblivious to my standing in their midst or accepting of me as I was.
I remember facing west, and when I turned to my right, there— not two feet from me— stood the most beautiful angel ever! He must’ve been eight or ten feet tall, wearing a resplendent white gown with a bright, teal-colored satin sash. His hair was brown; his face, masculine yet soft-featured. He emanated self-confidence and was so focused that he didn’t even turn to look at me. He straightened his sash as we stood in total silence except for the flapping all around of wings spanning eight to ten feet or more.
Standing beside him I sensed that he commanded the others. Yet, they were so proficient that they needed no reminders about their duties and responsibilities. I wondered if they were working in shifts, since they came and went at different times. Had they returned for the night? Were those departing called out on emergencies?
Two angels
A few years later when I taught CCE at Christ the King, Bennye, a fourth grader, gave me a book, There’s Dynamite in Praise (Gossett, 1974), which included a story about two angels.
I thought about my dream. Maybe those steadfast angels landing all around me had indeed returned to heaven after having spent their day on earth.
It was during this time, too, that the catechists at Christ the King would gather ’round Sister Jovita to talk after Tuesday night’s middle school CCE classes.
One plus three or twelve
“Have you ever wanted to meet your guardian angel?” I asked.
The catechists in our small group hadn’t given the notion any thought, but I was so excited that I had to share my dream.
“I did, and I have! I even wrote about it in my journal. My guardian angel’s name is Bwrn, spelled with all consonants. I met him as he walked down a dirt path with his ‘three assistants,’ but he can summon ‘a dozen more if they’re needed.’ He’s stocky and robust with a strong yet gentle voice, and he assured me that I’m very well protected.”
“Are you familiar with Andrew Greeley?” Sister asked.
None of us had heard of Greeley, so Sister told us he’d written about angels.
“I’ll check Waldenbooks,” I told her but never found that particular title.
Although I forgot about the book, my recollection of the dream remains unchanged and just as vivid. I see the old Celtic castle on the low, somewhat grassy hill in the distance as Bwrn and two or three others make their way down the well-trodden pathway. I’m reminded of Robin Hood with his forest-green outfit, leggings, and dark-brown suede boots. Bwrn is clearly in charge, speaking to the others here and there. I’m so taken with him that I don’t notice his wings. Are they folded back so that I can’t see them?
Without a doubt, then or now, Bwrn is my guardian angel. What a dream come true!
Angels all around
My dreams were truly unforgettable; the angels, very real. It’s easier to share what I felt than to describe what I saw and can readily visualize the scenes, but words take time. For this reason, I was tempted to scour through my journals to look for the angel entries, but that’d be a lengthy process.
To this day I still look for the tall angel when I come across angel sites, prayer cards, and related literature— my angel isn’t in Angels (Underhill, 1994) either— but I haven’t given up. One of these days I’ll find the angel in white with the teal satin sash but, until then, I’ll enjoy my gift angels all around as reminders of the field of angels in my dream.
Prayers
For protection… My guardian angel, faithful and strong in virtue, you are one of the angels led by St. Michael who overcame Satan and his followers. That battle, which one day took place in heaven, now continues on earth. The prince of evil and his followers oppose Jesus Christ and try to ensnare souls.
Pray to the Immaculate Queen of the Apostles of the Church, the city of God which fights against the city of Satan. St. Michael the Archangel, together with your followers, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May the Lord subdue him! And you, prince of the heavenly host, thrust back into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Guardian angel… Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side… to light, to love, to be my guide.
O most faithful companion, appointed by God to be my guardian who never leaves my side, how shall I thank you for your faithfulness and love and for the benefits which you have obtained for me?
You watch over me when I sleep, comfort me when I’m sad, avert the dangers that threaten me, and warn me of those to come. You withdraw me from sin and inspire me to good. You exhort me to penance when I fall and reconcile me to God.
I beg you not to leave me. Comfort me in adversity, restrain me in prosperity, defend me in danger, and assist me in temptations.
Offer up in the sight of the Divine Majesty my prayers and petitions and all my works of piety. Help me to persevere in grace until I come to everlasting life (Catholic Harbor of Faith & Morals).
Mother to her children’s guardian angels… I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company.
October 2, 2012
The angels, wherever they may be sent, never stop gazing upon God. In the same way, the virtuous person, as much as he can, always keeps the memory of God in his heart (St. Bonaventure).
“Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit for without being seen, they are present with you” (St. Francis de Sales).
October 2, 2013
Thank you, Father, for sending an angel to watch over me. May I come to share your life with all the angels, singing your praises forever! (the Word among us, October 2013, p. 22).
September 3, 2014
The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the angels (Pope St. Gregory the Great).
October 2, 2014
For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone (Ps. 91:11–12).
“The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 334).
November 21, 2014
“You will become a saint by complying exactly with your daily duties” (St. Mary Joseph Rossello).
June 16, 2015
He who believes himself to be a saint is a fool. Genuine saints always look upon themselves as the worst sinners. And, when our Lord grants a favor through their prayers, they credit such favors to this or that saint, whereas their own faith was largely responsible for them (St. John Bosco).
July 7, 2015
Ask Jesus to make you a saint. After all, only he can do that. Go to confession regularly and to Communion as often as you can (St. Dominic Savio).
May 5, 2016
Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels (St. Augustine).
July 6, 2016
“He said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you to make your journey successful'” (Gen. 24:40).
October 2, 2016
“If we could only see the joy of our guardian angel when he sees us fighting our temptations” (St. John Vianney).
May 5, 2017
“In God, there is another perfection: all goodness is pleasing to him by nature, always and everywhere, whether it be in angels, in men, or in other creatures” (St. Thomas Aquinas in The Ways of God).
June 5, 2017
Despite all of the skills we bring to challenging times in our lives, we never operate through them in a vacuum. We always come in contact with, need, and benefit from other people. Some of these men and women are familiar, perhaps even family members. Others are complete strangers. All can be our “angels on earth,” true treasure in our lives— if we recognize them for who they are, the gifts they bring, and nurture the ties, however slight, that we share with them (Maureen Pratt in Don’t Panic: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough).
July 9, 2020
If the fury of your enemies is great and their numbers overwhelming, the love which God holds for you is infinitely greater. The angel who protects you and the saints who intercede for you are more numerous (Dom Lorenzo Scupoli in Spiritual Combat).
Blue angel mascot – Immaculate Conception School – Brownsville, TX
Links of interest… 20 things guardian angels do for us… Angels: about (more) / book / chaplet / choirs / mysterious guardians / prayers & more / servants of God / spiritual life / stories… Archangels: chaplet’s origin / feast / Michael, Gabriel, St. Raphael / novenas / Raphael (“Medicine of God”)… Biblical encounter with three Celtic saints… Crises of saints… Do angels have wings… Ever this day angels are at our side… Guardian angel: badge / chaplet / eight things to know & share about guardian angels / memorial / twenty things they do for us… Our Lady, queen of angels… Lessons from a monastery: hospitality… Remarkable friendship between a saint & her guardian angel… Rosaries & chaplets: collection / pictures & prayers… There’s dynamite in praise (Gossett, 1974): author / book (more) / miracle healing testimonies… Time for Christian heroes… We are called to be angels… What humans can do that angels can’t…
WP posts… Angels keeping watch… Prayer and praise… St. Michael chaplet… Two angels
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