By KAITLIN KLEIN
WONDERFUL ADVENTURE
The earth is a battleground – and I'm not being dramatic. I sometimes get too caught up in my day-to-day human life that I fail to see the big picture, fail to remember the great battle in heaven that ended with, "The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it" (Revelation 12:9). I often forget that Earth is Satan's stomping grounds, and he wants to draw me to himself and away from God. When I do think of this, it can arouse a shudder.
But wait; after a recent presentation I attended by a member of Opus Sanctorum Angelorum ("Work of the Holy Angels"), an international movement directed by the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, I realized that, when I thought I "saw the big picture," I was often downplaying a wonderful and encompassing part of the spiritual world: the Holy Angels! We humans are not left alone to take on the devil and his demons (thank goodness – my guess is we'd be toast by now) and the Holy Angels of God are not just chubby babies with wings and pretty statues by churches (thank goodness; cute, maybe, but not the powerful beings they really are).
Every human being has a Guardian Angel, which we should lovingly refer to as we would Mom or Dad, as our Holy Guardian Angel. Theologians over the centuries generally agree that each angel who is entrusted with guarding a human being only does so for one person. God in his goodness has paired our angel with us to help us complete the unique mission God has given us here on earth. They strive to guide us to Jesus and Mary, and they protect us from evil.
Not only does each individual have a personal Holy Guardian Angel, but countries, cities and other geographical regions have an angel to watch over that area. Although angels cannot hear our every thought, we are able to direct thoughts to them, asking them for help, guidance and protection. We can even "send" our angel to help others; and it is believed that because of the spiritual nature of angels, they can apply their power to more than one place at the same time. What a great time it is to ask the Guardian Angel of the United States to be with us and direct our country.
It’s hard to even imagine the impact angels and demons have on earth. I do know, though, that without a doubt, the Lord gives us everything we need to complete our earthly mission and one day live with Him in eternity. With the sacraments, the Communion of Saints, and the Holy Angels, along with God’s countless other gifts, we can “be not afraid.”
For more information about angels from a movement faithful to the Magisterium, visit opusangelorum.org.