Episode 2556: Our Guardian Angels Faithful Friends on the Journey to God - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received
from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have
committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed
Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear
Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor
sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
Our Guardian Angels: Faithful Friends on the Journey to God"
Welcome to tonight’s episode. In our journey toward God, we are never alone. As Catholics, we know that God has assigned each of us a guardian angel an invisible yet ever-present companion to guide, protect, and inspire us in all that we do. As St. John Vianney reminds us, “Our guardian angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought often to invoke them.”
Today, we will reflect on the beautiful and mysterious gift of our guardian angels, the faithful friends who remain with us every moment of our lives. We will explore how these heavenly companions help us draw closer to God, how they protect us from both physical and spiritual dangers, and how we can cultivate a deeper relationship with them through prayer and trust.
Let us open our hearts to this reality, one that is often overlooked in the hustle of daily life, and remind ourselves that God has placed angels by our sides as reminders of His love and care for us.

The Catholic tradition teaches us that guardian angels are not only protectors but friends. These angels, assigned to us at the moment of our conception, accompany us throughout our entire lives, guiding us toward God and protecting us from harm. St. John Vianney, the humble Curé of Ars, emphasized the constant presence of our guardian angels. He called them “our most faithful friends.” Why? Because unlike earthly friends, our guardian angels never leave our side. They are with us always, whether we are aware of them or not.
This truth should fill us with great comfort. No matter where we are, no matter how alone we might feel, our angels are there, watching over us, offering us strength, and guiding us back to God’s will. As St. John Vianney urged, we ought to invoke them often in prayer, asking for their assistance in both the spiritual and temporal challenges of life.
But as much as we know about our angels, how often do we actually turn to them? In the busyness of daily life, we can easily forget that we have a heavenly companion who is ready and willing to help us in all things. And yet, when we turn to our guardian angel in times of need, we invite the protection and guidance of heaven itself into our lives.
Now, let’s turn to the words of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a saint whose deep spirituality was marked by an unwavering trust in God’s love. She writes:
“It is true that I am not always faithful, but I do not give way to discouragement; I just place myself in Our Lord's arms, and He teaches me to draw profit from both the good and the bad in me.”
St. Thérèse acknowledges her human frailty, her imperfections, and yet, she does not fall into despair. Instead, she trusts in God’s mercy. This is a vital lesson for us. We are often so aware of our failures, and we may think that our guardian angels perfect beings created to serve God must surely be disappointed with us. But this is not true. Just as God is infinitely merciful, so too do the angels seek to lead us back to His mercy when we fall.
St. Thérèse reminds us that God teaches us through both our successes and our failures. And our guardian angels are part of this teaching. When we stumble, our angels do not abandon us. Instead, they work to bring us back to God, to help us rise again, and to grow in holiness. The key is to never give way to discouragement but to trust that our angels, like God, want only what is best for us.
This is why it is so important to cultivate a relationship with our guardian angels through prayer. When we regularly turn to them, we open ourselves to their guidance. We are reminded that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone, and we are encouraged to continue striving for holiness. In this, our angels are true friends, offering both protection and inspiration.
St. Thérèse also uses the beautiful imagery of being placed in Our Lord’s arms. When we think of our guardian angels, we can think of them as helping us to do just this. They guide us into the arms of the Savior. They help us to trust in His love, even when we feel unworthy or when life seems overwhelming. Just as an earthly friend might walk beside us and encourage us, our guardian angels walk beside us and encourage us in the spiritual life.
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, we find the parable of the prodigal son. St. Thérèse, referencing this parable, writes: “I am no prodigal, there is no need for Him to prepare a feast for me, because I am always with him.” What a beautiful reflection on the constancy of God’s love. Like the elder son in the parable, we are reminded that we are always in God’s presence, even when we are unaware of it. Our angels help us to remain with God, gently leading us back when we stray.
Practical Application:
Invoke Your Guardian Angel Daily:
Make it a habit to ask for your guardian angel’s help and protection each day. Pray the Angel of God prayer, and seek your angel’s intercession in both your spiritual and temporal needs.

Turn to Your Angel in Times of Trouble:
In moments of weakness, temptation, or despair, remember that your guardian angel is with you. Ask for their help in resisting sin and trusting in God’s mercy.
Cultivate Gratitude for Your Angel:
Take time to thank God for the gift of your guardian angel. Recognize the constant presence of this heavenly friend and strive to deepen your relationship with them through regular prayer and reflection.
Conclusion:
As we conclude today’s episode, let us take to heart the words of St. John Vianney and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Our guardian angels are our faithful friends, always with us, guiding us toward God and protecting us from harm. By cultivating a relationship with them through prayer and trust, we open ourselves to the fullness of their heavenly assistance.
We are never alone on this journey to holiness. Our guardian angels walk beside us, encouraging us, lifting us up when we fall, and leading us ever closer to the arms of Our Lord. May we always remember their presence, and may we turn to them often for help and inspiration.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of our guardian angels, those faithful friends who walk beside us every day of our lives. Help us to remember their presence and to call upon them in times of need. May we trust in their guidance, just as we trust in Your infinite mercy. Grant that we may always remain close to You, protected and guided by our guardian angels, until the day when we are united with You in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us in today’s reflection. Until next time, may your guardian angel watch over you and guide you closer to God. God bless!