On September 29th, our parish celebrated the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel with a week-long series of events, which brought the community together in joy. Throughout the week, our parish priests, Fr Terence and Fr Sam, delivered inspiring homilies that were centred around angels.
By the end of the week, I was filled with indescribable happiness and joy. The celebrations left me in a profound euphoria that lingers. Additionally, I had the opportunity to celebrate the feast day of the Holy Guardian Angels during the morning Mass, further adding to my joy.
Last year, as I began my prayer journey, I often used prayers from a Catholic book I had purchased. To make the experience more engaging, I involved my son in prayer. Before bedtime, I asked him if he wanted to pray with me one evening, and he immediately pointed to the Guardian Angel prayer. This simple, two-sentence prayer expressing gratitude to our guardian angels became a regular part of our night prayers.
“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.”
Father Sam’s homily on the feast day shed light on the concept that our guardian angels grow brighter as we grow in holiness and dimmer when we stray from Our heavenly father. This idea resonated with me, as I had heard before that the inner urge to do good may be our guardian angel nudging us towards holiness. In the past, I had been cautioned against being too kind or generous, fearing that people might take advantage of me. However, my faith has taught me that God, our heavenly Father is fair and loves us deeply. He has sent us guardian angels to protect, guide, and remind us to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Mark 12:31:” You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Fr. Sam also spoke about being an angel to others, emphasising the phrase “You are an angel.” This phrase signifies someone who appears at the right time and place when someone is going through a tough time. I have experienced such encounters in my own life and witnessed them in the lives of others. One instance involved a classmate from the gym who seemed burdened. Through a conversation over coffee, I offered her husband a job. He left shortly after getting another better job offer with good company benefits. Christ’s grace flowed into their lives, bringing them happiness and a closer connection to their faith.
Last Sunday, Fr Sam shared a haunting homily about a family he visited. The wife initially rejected his presence, but he later discovered that she had poured poison into her food, with the intention of harming her family due to their dire financial situation. Fr Sam’s presence that night saved them from tragedy. This story reminded me of my own struggles with darkness and a desire to end my life. However, a knock on the door from a Catholic neighbour seeking a lighter unintentionally intervened and brought me back from despair. I am forever grateful for that intervention orchestrated by my guardian angel and his divine providence.
The guardian angels of our parish, are the “cornerstone” of the Church of St. Michael. They play a vital role in providing love, protection, and guidance to me (who is new to the parish) and all new members of our community. They warmly welcome and embrace Catechumens like me, ensuring we feel valued and supported as we journey in our faith. As a new parish member, having their presence and support is especially important, as it helps me feel included and connected to the community. The enduring presence and support of the community, passed down through generations, form the firm foundation of our Church.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to St. Michael, the archangel, for his protection and intercession against evil spirits. To our guardian angels, we apologise for not fully acknowledging your presence before. Thank you for always watching over us, providing guidance, and reminding us of God, our heavenly father’s love. Your constant presence and support encourage us to draw closer to Him.
Written by Kit Lee