October 2, 2026
The Holy Guardian Angels
Gospel: Matthew 18:1–5, 10

Today is Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. The recently published Missal tells us: Three days ago, the Church’s liturgy celebrated the Archangels SS. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael; today is the Memorial of those angels who, according to Scripture and tradition, guard and assist us at every moment. Each person has such a Guardian Angel, and we rightly rejoice in their company.

Today, the passage from the Gospel of Matthew presents to us Jesus’ discourse on the Kingdom of Heaven, as He spoke of it. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

Last year, when I was writing the Daily Word for the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, I shared an example: Once, I went on a pilgrimage with some parishioners. Along the way, they practiced singing hymns. This was originally a beautiful thing, for we know that singing is a double prayer. However, halfway through, they said, “We have a boss, and our boss is the parish priest—he is the greatest.” That parishioner spoke in this way because he viewed God and His Church, built upon St. Peter, according to the logic of this world. Those who follow the logic of this world understand the order of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus spoke of according to the hierarchical structure of the Church. In their eyes, within the Kingdom of Heaven, everyone’s rank is determined by their place in the Church’s hierarchy. The greatest must surely be the Pope, followed by Cardinals, then Bishops, then priests, then deacons, and finally the lay faithful.

This year, I would like to say to that parishioner that the Kingdom of Heaven spoken of by Jesus is composed not only of a God who loves and is loved by Him, but also of those who hear God’s word and are humble like the Blessed Virgin Mary. If we truly belong to the children of God, if we truly belong to the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus spoke of, we shall become angels to others. For the angels of God are faithful servants who accomplish the holy will of God, and they constantly care for the people of God entrusted to their charge.

O God, who in your unfathomable providence
are pleased to send your holy Angels to guard us,
hear our supplication as we cry to you,
that we may always be defended by their protection
and rejoice eternally in their company.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica