Walking with the Angels: A Trilogy for October
Part 1: The Coming Purification and the Call to Know Your Guardian Angel
Figure 1 “My angel’s candle: a reminder that Heaven walks beside me.”
We are living in a moment of profound spiritual tension — a time when moral foundations tremble, confusion spreads, and darkness grows bold. Many mystics and saints have spoken of a coming Purification, often called the Illumination of Conscience, when every soul will see itself as God sees it. This moment, described by Blessed Anna Maria Taigi as a universal interior enlightenment, is understood as a global act of mercy meant to awaken humanity before deeper trials unfold.
If the world feels increasingly chaotic, it is because the veil between the natural and supernatural is thinning. Evil is no longer subtle; it is celebrated. As Fr. Chad Ripperger has noted in his public conferences, the level of demonic activity today is unprecedented in modern history. Yet God never leaves His people defenseless. From the moment of conception, He assigns each person a powerful protector — a guardian angel whose mission is the salvation of the soul.
This is why many spiritual writers call our era an Angelic Age. Not because angels are suddenly more active, but because we are finally beginning to need them. The spiritual battle has intensified to such a degree that human strength alone is insufficient. Heaven is urging us to rediscover the relationship we have neglected: the daily companionship of our guardian angel.
The Purification: A Moment of Truth
Mystics across centuries have warned of this moment. Blessed Elena Aiello (1895–1961) spoke of a coming Illumination of Conscience, a global awakening in which every soul will see itself as God sees it — a purification she said would arrive during a time of moral collapse and widespread rejection of God. Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (1769–1837) likewise foresaw a great light of truth that would pierce human hearts, exposing interior darkness and calling the world to repentance. Marie-Julie Jahenny (1850–1941) emphasized that guardian angels would play a crucial role during this event, guiding souls through the shock of seeing their interior life in the light of divine truth. Even St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) warned of a future age marked by spiritual confusion, the breakdown of virtue, and an assault on masculinity — signs of a culture under demonic pressure. In such an age, friendship with one’s guardian angel is not merely devotional; it is essential. If demonic influence is rising because its time is short, then the need to awaken, to pray, and to walk closely with our guardian angel has never been more urgent.
Marie-Julie Jahenny taught that during the Illumination of Conscience (often called “the Warning”), guardian angels would play an essential protective role. She said that when souls are suddenly shown their interior state as God sees it, many will be overwhelmed — some even dying from the shock of seeing their sins in divine light. In that moment, she said, guardian angels would stand beside each person, offering strength, clarity, and protection, especially as demonic forces attempt to incite fear, despair, or confusion.
Marie-Julie Jahenny emphasized that:
Angels will console souls who are terrified by the truth of their conscience.
They will protect people from demonic attacks that try to twist the experience into hopelessness.
They will help souls understand the mercy behind the illumination, not just the justice.
They will guide people toward repentance after the shock passes.
She described the Illumination as a moment when God shows each person: “If you were to die today, this is where your soul would go.” Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell — without disguise, without self-deception. And she said guardian angels would be the ones helping souls endure this revelation without falling into despair.
The Rising Spiritual Warfare
We are living in a time when spiritual warfare is no longer subtle — it is open, aggressive, and accelerating. The saints and mystics of past centuries warned that a period would come when demonic influence would intensify, attacking families, distorting sexuality, corrupting innocence, and spreading confusion so deep that even believers would struggle to discern truth from deception. St. John Vianney spoke of demons prowling “like vultures around carrion,” seeking to discourage the faithful. St. Padre Pio warned that the devil would use fear, despair, and division as his primary weapons. St. Gemma Galgani experienced direct assaults meant to break her resolve and silence her prayer.
Today, these same tactics appear in new forms: ideologies that deny God, technologies that enslave the imagination, addictions that numb the soul, and a culture that mocks virtue while celebrating sin. The enemy’s strategy is simple — to exhaust consciences, darken minds, and isolate souls from God. In such a climate, the presence of one’s guardian angel becomes not merely comforting but strategically essential. Angels are sent to guard the mind, strengthen the will, expose deception, and protect the soul from the invisible pressures that seek to pull it away from God. Their mission intensifies when the battle intensifies.
Fr. Joseph Esper teaches that the coming persecution will be both global and profoundly spiritual — a time when deception, lawlessness, and hostility toward believers intensify (Handbook for Survival of the Coming Persecution). Yet he insists that God will not abandon His people. He recounts the vision of a mystic who saw a Christian family being hunted during a future persecution: soldiers searched for them with dogs, weapons, and tracking devices, yet their guardian angel appeared and shielded them from detection, placing a supernatural veil over the family until the danger passed. Esper explains that this is not an isolated grace but a preview of how angels will intervene in the trials to come — strengthening consciences, warning souls of approaching danger, and even appearing to the faithful to guide them toward sanctuaries prepared by God.
Fr. Esper teaches that guardian angels will help believers discern truth from deception, avoid spiritual traps, and remain steadfast when confusion and fear rise. In such a time, devotion to one’s guardian angel is not merely pious sentiment; it is a lifeline. And because Scripture itself shows angels guiding Lot out of Sodom, leading Tobias on his journey, freeing Peter from prison, and directing Joseph in dreams, Esper’s account becomes a bridge to a deeper truth: the Bible has always revealed angels as God’s rescuers in moments of crisis — and they will be so again. The same angels who acted in salvation history are acting now.
The Six Duties of Your Guardian Angel
Figure 2: “The guardian angel kneels before God, ready to carry out the duties entrusted to him.”
Rev. Richard O’Kennedy was an Irish priest and theologian whose 1887 work The Holy Angels became one of the most widely used catechetical manuals on angelology in the late 19th century. Drawing from Scripture, the Church Fathers, and centuries of mystical testimony, O’Kennedy organized the mission of the guardian angel into six distinct duties. His goal was simple: to awaken Catholics to the reality that every person is accompanied by a heavenly protector whose guidance is far more active, intimate, and necessary than most realize. O’Kennedy insisted that the guardian angel is not merely symbolic but a real spiritual companion assigned by God — a companion who works tirelessly for the salvation of the soul.
Most people never speak to their angel, never ask for help, and never acknowledge his presence. Yet in the coming Purification — and the trials that follow — this relationship will be essential. What follows is the list compiled by Rev. Richard O’Kennedy in The Holy Angels (1887), where he identifies six core duties entrusted to every guardian angel.
Protection from Physical and Spiritual Harm
Your angel guards you from dangers you never see — accidents avoided, impulses restrained, and temptations weakened.
O’Kennedy teaches that angels intervene quietly, often preventing harm without the person ever knowing.
This protection is strongest when a soul prays, stays close to the sacraments, and invites the angel’s help.
Opposition to Demonic Temptations
Angels counter every demonic suggestion with a grace-filled inspiration toward good.
They strengthen your conscience when the enemy tries to confuse, discourage, or deceive.
O’Kennedy emphasizes that many sudden good impulses — to pray, to resist sin, to act charitably — are angelic interventions.
Intercession Before God
Your angel continually presents your prayers before the throne of God, even when you pray poorly or distractedly.
O’Kennedy writes that angels “purify” our petitions, making them more pleasing to God.
They pray for your needs, your vocation, your family, and your salvation without ceasing.
Instruction in Truth
Angels enlighten the mind, helping you understand Scripture, recognize truth, and avoid error.
O’Kennedy notes that angels often guide people through subtle interior lights — sudden clarity, conviction, or understanding.
They help form the conscience, especially in moments of moral decision.
Correction When We Stray
Angels administer gentle but firm interior rebukes when a soul begins drifting toward sin.
O’Kennedy teaches that this correction is medicinal, never humiliating — meant to restore, not punish.
Many saints, including St. Gemma and St. Padre Pio, experienced this loving discipline from their angels.
Guidance Toward God’s Will and Salvation
Your angel directs your steps toward the choices, relationships, and opportunities that lead you closer to God.
O’Kennedy describes this guidance as a lifelong mission: from infancy to death, the angel accompanies the soul toward Heaven.
They help you discern truth, avoid moral danger, and remain faithful during trials.
How the Saints Lived Friendship with Their Guardian Angels
Many saints and mystics have encouraged the faithful to send their guardian angel on spiritual missions, trusting that angels can accomplish what we cannot because they are not bound by time or space. Throughout the centuries, saints such as St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Ávila, and St. Faustina Kowalska wrote of angelic help in prayer, protection, and spiritual battle. Even Pope St. John Paul II practiced this devotion, sending his guardian angel ahead to greet the angel of each person he met so their encounter would be prepared in peace and charity. These examples reveal how deeply the saints relied on their angels.
The bullet points below highlight the different ways some of the saints lived this profound friendship.
St. Padre Pio — sent his guardian angel to carry messages, comfort the suffering, and assist souls in danger. He urged people to send their angels to him when they needed prayer, saying he could feel their presence.
St. Gemma Galgani — received correction, encouragement, and spiritual direction from her angel, who stayed constantly at her side. He guided her thoughts, strengthened her in temptation, and even delivered messages to her confessor.
St. Francis of Assisi — taught his brothers to honor their angels as companions who walk beside them in purity and joy. He believed angels helped maintain the spirit of peace and humility central to Franciscan life.
St. Catherine of Siena — wrote that her angel strengthened her during spiritual battles, protected her from deception, and lifted her heart when she felt abandoned or overwhelmed.
St. Alphonsus Liguori — taught that angels gladly carry our petitions to God and return with graces when asked with humility. He encouraged the faithful to speak to their angels daily and rely on their protection.
St. Teresa of Ávila — described angelic protection during her reforms and relied on her angel for courage in trials. She believed angels helped her persevere through spiritual dryness and opposition.
St. Faustina Kowalska — saw her angel accompany her during visions and protect her from spiritual harm. In her Diary, she wrote that when passing churches while riding in a carriage, she would greet the guardian angels assigned to guard each church, sometimes waving or bowing toward them in reverence. She honored their silent vigilance over the Eucharistic Lord with joy.
St. Hildegard of Bingen — received visions in which angels appeared as radiant beings who assisted her in understanding divine mysteries. She wrote that angels strengthened her during illness, guided her prophetic insights, and helped her discern God’s will. Hildegard saw angels as collaborators in her mission, illuminating her mind when human strength failed.
St. Bridget of Sweden — experienced frequent angelic guidance in her revelations. Her guardian angel warned her of spiritual dangers, instructed her in prayer, and comforted her during her long periods of suffering. Bridget wrote that her angel helped her remain faithful to God’s voice even when her mission brought misunderstanding or hardship.
My Daily Devotion to My Guardian Angel
Figure 3: “A picture of the unseen reality: your guardian angel is always at your side.”
The spiritual battle unfolding in our time demands a deeper relationship with one’s guardian angel. As Paul Thigpen writes in Manual for Spiritual Warfare, we live in a battlefield, not a playground, and God has assigned each of us a heavenly defender for that very reason. Jesse Romero, in The Devil in the City of Angels, describes the overwhelming number of demons and warns that Satan’s tactics have changed: the devil no longer tries to convince people he doesn’t exist — he whispers, “You have plenty of time to repent.” This lie is deadly and has led countless souls into complacency and spiritual danger.
In a recent talk, Fr. Chad Ripperger described an exorcism in which a demon, compelled by God’s authority, began to cry. When asked why, the demon replied, “Because He said our time down here is very short.” This chilling admission reflects a long-held teaching of the Church: when demonic influence nears its permitted end, it intensifies. We see this escalation everywhere — rising violence, corruption, deception, and a cultural rejection of the very words once engraved on our national identity: In God We Trust. As society drifts from the moral order, the spiritual battle sharpens, and the enemy grows bolder. Yet God has not left His people defenseless.
What does this mean? It means the demons know their window to destroy souls is closing — and they are working with unprecedented fury. In this age of intensified spiritual warfare, your guardian angel is not merely a comfort; he is a God-given protector, guide, and warrior. He can help you resist temptation, guard your family, strengthen your prayer, and prepare your heart to meet Christ.
For more than a decade, I have relied on this angelic companionship in my own spiritual life. Below is a sample of the daily guardian angel prayers I have prayed for years — prayers that have become a lifeline in the battle for holiness. I begin my daily devotion by making the Sign of the Cross and praying the traditional guardian angel prayer: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.” After this, I address my angel directly: “Dearest guardian angel, today…” — and from there, I offer the specific prayers and missions that follow.
Go before the throne of God: Dearest guardian angel, today as you behold the Holy Face of God, offer Him my heartfelt thanks and praise for every blessing He has poured upon me and upon my family. Present to Him my gratitude, my love, and my adoration, and remain before His glory in my name. Glory be . . .
Visit every tabernacle on earth: Dearest guardian angel, please go today to every tabernacle across the earth and adore Our Lord Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Bow before Him in my name, offer Him my love, my thanksgiving, and my adoration, and remain with Him in the silence of His Eucharistic Heart. Glory be . . .
Console souls in purgatory: Dearest guardian angel, today I ask you to visit every member of my family who may be waiting in purgatory. Bring them my love, my prayers, and the hope of Christ’s mercy. Pray beside them, console them, and carry to them the light of God’s comfort. Glory be . . .
*For additional guardian angel mission prayers, see the Devotional Prayers to Your Guardian Angel section at the end of this paper.
The errands you can send your angel on each day are endless — provided they are ordered toward God’s glory and the salvation of souls. And behind each mission, pray a Glory Be as a seal of praise.
An Angelic Age
We are living in an Angelic Age — a time when God is awakening His people to the reality of the spiritual battle and the heavenly help He has already provided. The activity of the angels is increasing because the struggle for souls is intensifying. In these days of confusion, deception, and moral upheaval, God is calling His people to walk closely with the guardian angel He appointed to them from birth.
Our Lord warns, “You do not know the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13), reminding us that vigilance is essential. Scripture also teaches, “He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). These two truths — the uncertainty of the hour and the certainty of angelic guardianship — form the foundation of a living partnership with your guardian angel. God has not asked you to face the coming trials alone; He has already assigned a heavenly protector, guide, and companion to walk beside you.
The Purification will be a moment of mercy, but also a dividing line. Those who cultivate a relationship with their guardian angel will not walk alone; those who ignore the spiritual realm will be overwhelmed by it. Now is the time to speak to your angel daily, ask for guidance, pray for protection, and build a relationship of trust. Your guardian angel is God’s gift for the times we are entering — and in the coming Purification, he will be your light, your shield, and your companion.
Devotional Prayers to Your Guardian Angel
Figure 4: “In the quiet of Heaven, my angel offers my prayers as a shimmering bouquet before the throne of the Eternal.”
Spiritual Bouquet: Dearest guardian angel, please go today and carry a spiritual embrace from my heart to the holy ones who guide and inspire my life: Mary, Jesus, Joseph, Saints Anne and Joachim, St. Augustine, St. Monica, St. Padre Pio, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Photina, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Polycarp, St. Clement, St. Thérèse, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Margaret Mary, St. Maximilian, St. Edith Stein, St. Louis King of France, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, Venerable Fulton Sheen, and Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo. Ask each of these saints to intercede for me before the Lord our God, that I — together with all my family — may one day rejoice at the eternal banquet in Heaven. Glory be . . .
Whisper the Holy Name of Jesus: Dearest guardian angel, please whisper into the ears and hearts of all my loved ones the Holy Name of Jesus and the sweetness of His mercy. Speak His love gently within them, awakening repentance, pouring healing into their wounds, and drawing them toward a deep and lasting conversion. Glory be . . .
Renew the Moral Heart of America: Dearest guardian angel, please pray for the protection and conversion of America. Intercede for healing within our borders and for every heart that has grown cold or confused. Pray that the moral fabric of our nation may be renewed — that the dignity of every human life be cherished, that the elderly and vulnerable be treated with compassion, and that the sanctity of marriage as God designed it be honored. Cover our land with divine light, and lead us all toward truth, mercy, and holiness. Glory be . . .
Protection, faith, and virtue for my family: Dearest guardian angel, please pray for the safety, health, and spiritual protection of my spouse and children, and for their future spouses and future children. Intercede that our family may remain steadfast in the Catholic faith, grow continually in virtue, and persevere in ongoing conversion. Please carry a spiritual embrace from me to their own guardian angels, uniting our family in God’s light and love. Glory be . . .
Strength and holiness for priests: Dearest guardian angel, please pray for holy priests, the beloved sons of Our Lady. Intercede for them to grow in humility, obedience, charity, and temperance. Strengthen especially those who are struggling, discouraged, or tempted. Surround them with grace, protect their vocations, and help them remain faithful shepherds of Christ’s flock. Glory be . . .
Guard our parish and strengthen our sacramental life: Dearest guardian angel, please watch over my parish, safeguarding our community, our sacred spaces, and the life of the sacraments. Pray that our parish may grow in charity, unity, and holiness. Protect our worship, deepen our reverence for the Eucharist, and help our parish family become a beacon of God’s love and mercy. Glory be . . .
Conversion of the world to Christ: Dearest guardian angel, please pray for the conversion of the entire world to the Catholic faith. Intercede for the strengthening of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church throughout every nation and every heart. Pray especially for those who are hardened or closed to God’s grace — that they may recognize their selfishness, turn away from sin, and learn to abandon all things to God’s Divine Providence. Draw every soul toward truth, mercy, and the light of Christ. Glory be . . .
More Prayers
Litany of the Holy Guardian Angelhttps://www.catholictradition.org/Litanies/litany39.htm
Prayers & Litany to Our Guardian Angelhttps://www.sanctatrinitas.org/Prayers_and_Litany_to_Our_Guardian_Angel.html
The Catholic Crusade. 2021. The Litany of the Holy Guardian Angel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_FOCzSk2No. YouTube.
Guardian Angel Prayers: Catholic Prayers for Healing, Protection, Children and More. https://hallow.com/blog/guardian-angel-prayers/
Angel sent by God to guide me be my light and walk beside me. Be my guardian and protect me on the paths of life direct me. Amen.
References and Additional Reading:
“Anna Marie Taigi: Life, Prophecies, and Prayers.” Hozana, 6 Sept. 2026, https://hozana.org/en/miracles-and-apparitions/mystics/anne-marie-taigi.
Beuter, Dawn. “Blessed Anna Maria Taigi: A Mother and Mystic.” The Catholic World Report, 9 June 2025, https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/06/09/blessed-anna-maria-taigi-a-mother-who-teaches-us-the-meaning-of-mysticism/.
Bessieres, Albert. Wife, Mother & Mystic: Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi. TAN Books, 1982.
Bonaventure. The Major Legend of St. Francis. In Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, edited by Regis J. Armstrong, New City Press, 1999.
Bridget of Sweden. The Revelations of Saint Birgitta. Edited by Bridget Morris, Oxford University Press, 1999.
Bridget of Sweden. The Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden. Translated by Denis Searby, Oxford University Press, 2006.
Castellano, Renzo. Padre Pio: The True Story. Our Sunday Visitor, 2000.
Catherine of Siena. The Dialogue. Translated by Suzanne Noffke, Paulist Press, 1980.
Celano, Thomas of. The Life of St. Francis of Assisi. TAN Books, 2000.
de la Franquerie, Marquis Rene. Marie-Julie Jahenny: The Breton Stigmatist. TAN Books, 1977.
Esper, Joseph. Lessons from the Lives of the Saints. Queenship Publishing, 2001.
Esper, Joseph. On the Brink: America’s Coming Judgment. Queenship Publishing, 2010.
Esper, Joseph. Saints Who Battled Satan. Sophia Institute Press, 2015.
Esper, Joseph. Spiritual Dangers of the 21st Century. Queenship Publishing, 2007.
Esper, Joseph. Spiritual Warfare: Fighting the Good Fight. Queenship Publishing, 2004.
Galgani, Gemma. The Autobiography of St. Gemma Galgani. TAN Books, 1995.
Germanus, Venerable Father. The Life of St. Gemma Galgani. TAN Books, 2002.
Gracie, Joshua. The Life and Prophecies of Marie-Julie Jahenny: Divine Warnings for the End Times. Atlantic Books, 2025.
Hildegard of Bingen. Letters of Hildegard of Bingen. Translated by Joseph L. Baird and Radd K. Ehrman, Oxford University Press, 1994.
Hildegard of Bingen. Scivias. Translated by Columba Hart and Jane Bishop, Paulist Press, 1990.
Hildegard of Bingen. The Book of Divine Works. Translated by Matthew Fox, Bear & Company, 1987.
John Paul II. Crossing the Threshold of Hope. Alfred A. Knopf, 1994.
John Paul II. Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way. Warner Books, 2004.
Kowalska, Maria Faustina. Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Marian Press, 2005.
Liguori, Alphonsus. The Glories of Mary. TAN Books, 1996.
Liguori, Alphonsus. The Way of Salvation and of Perfection. TAN Books, 1987.
“Marie-Julie Jahenny FAQs – Biography of Purple Scapular Mystic.” Mary Foundation at CatholicCity.com, https://www.catholicity.com/scapulars/marie-julie-jahenny-FAQ.html.
O’Kennedy, Rev. Richard. The Holy Angels. James Duffy and Co., 1887.
Padre Pio. Send Me Your Guardian Angel: Padre Pio’s Letters to His Spiritual Children. Edited by Fr. Alessio Parente, Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary, 1994.
Parente, Fr. Alessio. Send Me Your Guardian Angel. Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary, 1994.
Raymond of Capua. The Life of St. Catherine of Siena. TAN Books, 2003.
Ripperger, Chad. Deliverance Prayers: For Use by the Laity. Sensus Traditionis Press, 2016.
Ripperger, Fr. Chad. “On Asking Angels to Keep You Hidden.” Sensus Fidelium, YouTube, https://youtube.com/shorts/IyeuKW-zpA8?si=UDd8ap7-rCS8ehkw.
Ripperger, Fr. Chad. “The Time of the Demons Is Short.” ExposureTv444, YouTube, https://youtube.com/shorts/HyHkdM2MYWI?si=HiaSGi1IaspkEopx.
Ripperger, Fr. Chad. Dominion: The Nature of Diabolic Warfare and the Power of the Church. Sensus Traditionis Press, 2020.
Ripperger, Fr. Chad. “We Are Entering an Era of Triumph.” Adrian Milag TV, YouTube, https://youtu.be/Vofxj1QMHSM?si=AjE32oUlQVxLLXQ0.
Robinson, E. A. Prophecies of Marie-Julie Jahenny. Kindle ed., 2019.
Romero, Jesse. The Devil in the City of Angels: My Encounters with the Diabolical. TAN Books, 2019.
Teresa of Ávila. The Interior Castle. Translated by E. Allison Peers, Dover Publications, 2007.
Teresa of Ávila. The Life of Teresa of Jesus. Translated by E. Allison Peers, Image Books, 1991.
Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books, 2014.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Books of the Bible. https://bible.usccb.org/bible.
By Patricia Altier, CPO Board member
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