The primary mission of all the Angels is to adore the Divinity unceasingly; hence the Church permits us to unite our voices with theirs in praising, exalting, adoring, and glorifying Him. But, in addition to this, they have received another special mission with regard to men. For, as the Church, the Saints, and Catholic Doctors teach us, at least from the moment of our birth, each of us has an angel appointed to watch over us and defend us against the snares of our enemies, both visible and invisible, the demons. Thus, neither pagans, nor heretics, nor sinners are deprived of this heavenly protector. And not only individuals, but also societies and institutions are entrusted to the care of angels, so that families, parishes, dioceses, provinces, nations, religious communities, religious orders and congregations, and even the Church herself have their own special Guardian Angel.
The Guardian Angels preserve us from many harms and dangers; they keep occasions of sin far from us; they inspire holy thoughts; they sustain us in temptations; they comfort us in afflictions; they encourage us when we are discouraged; they awaken remorse in us when we do not act rightly; they intercede for us before the divine mercy; and so forth. Finally, they enlighten and sustain us in illness, and above all at the hour of death.
Saint Bernard sums up our duties toward our Guardian Angel in three words: they deserve our respect because of their presence, our love because of the benefits they bestow upon us, and our confidence because of our docility to their good inspirations.
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