Naming Your Guardian Angel

[Justin86]

I recently acquired a booklet in the "Veritas" series sponsored by the Knights of Columbus titled [i]All About Angels: Scripture, Catholic Theology, Angelic Orders[/i]. As the title suggests it goes into Catholic teaching about angels, their orders, natures and their works with God and men. Now, since my youth I have been taught that it was a pious devotion to name one's Guardian Angel, however this booklet is saying the opposite so it would appear. Regarding New Age movements and angels it says on pages 23 and 24:

[quote]It should be noted, finally, that members of the New Age often channel or contact an angel by ascribing it a name; the practice of ascribing names to individual angels, except to Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, is considered dangerous and false by the Church.[/quote]

While the booklet cites no source to validate this statement it does boast an [i]Imprimatur[/i], and claims of the series "True Catholic Information. Not Mere Opinions.". I have always heard good things about the Knights of Columbus, and am perfectly willing to believe them over what I was taught as a child. However, I was wondering if I could still get a second opinion from someone more learned than myself on the matter. Thank you.

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
noticed this didn't get a response, moving to TL phorum.

[Ziggamafu]

This is news to me as well. In my own catechetical formation I was informed that it was a very pious practice to name one's gaurdian angel. And although I can't recall off the top of my head (I've read so many books) I'm 99.999% certain that I have read in solid, orthodox books that the practice is very traditional and even commended. I have a friend that took advantage of this practice and to this day cultivates a very strong devotion his angel. We know that, at most, these names would be more like nick-names since their proper names would likely be given by God. I see no harm whatsoever in the practice.

However, as I have told my neophyte - and a candidate-to-be - that this practice is pious, you now force me to do some serious research into the subject.

[Ziggamafu]

Update:

Found a Catholic thread with some interesting comments on this subject. Here's what a few people had to say:

[quote]yea, but I was watching Mother Angelica a while back ago, and she suggested naming your guardian angel. She calls hers "Faithful."[/quote]

[quote]I also saw in EWTN (Don't know name of person actually) in one of their children's programs encouraging children to give a name to their angel guardian. It was presented in such as way as to make your angel more "real" to you. The speaker said it was an old tradition of our religion. After I viewed this, I carefully and after much searching and discernment found a name I admire very much for my angel guardian - which is between him and me!

Anyway, my opinion is that if you choose wisely and with much reverence, realizing what a higher creature he is and use his name with great respect that is it ok. I understand God has already named all angels so any name we give is simply a nick-name to be used in this life. I hope to learn his God-given name in the next. I never think of my angel is a pet or a servant, but rather as an angel who is beside me always. I great a powerful being. The fruit of my giving him a nick-name is I feel closer to him, more aware of his constant presence. That's my two cents![/quote]

[quote]I find it funny that someone said Fr. Anthony Mary said not to name your angel....Mother Angelica after much prodding to do so, had me name mine "Rachel".(although I picked the name) I don't think the angel minds....to think like a human wouldn't be "angel-like". Makes me feel closer too. I think Padro Pio named his also.[/quote]

[Ziggamafu]

Oh snap. It appears I was wrong, along with Mother Angelica and the EWTN kids show:

[url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html#Chapter%20Six"]http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congrega...l#Chapter%20Six[/url]

[quote]217. Popular devotion to the Holy Angels, which is legitimate and good, can, however, also give rise to [b]possible [/b]deviations:

*
when, as sometimes can happen, the faithful are taken by the idea that the world is subject to demiurgical struggles, or an incessant battle between good and evil spirits, or Angels and daemons, [b]in which man is left at the mercy of superior forces and over which he is helpless;[/b] such cosmologies bear little relation to the true Gospel vision of the struggle to overcome the Devil, which requires moral commitment, a fundamental option for the Gospel, humility and prayer;
*
when the daily events of life, which have nothing or little to do with our progressive maturing on the journey towards Christ are read schematically or simplistically, indeed childishly, [b]so as to ascribe all setbacks to the Devil and all success to the Guardian Angels. The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged,[/b] except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture.[/quote]

(emphasis added)

So here is my take. First of all, the passage does not use absolute language and even prefaces the statements by using the phrase "[i]possible [/i]deviations." This is a far cry from definitive condemnation. Second of all, it seems that the emphasis of the error is directed toward a kind of superstitious attitude toward the angelic warfare that surrounds us; an error that removes God's control or our own free will from the equation (i.e., "my angel was not able to resist my demon so it was not my fault that I sinned"). Finally, it would seem (in my opinion) that "ascribing names" would refer to [i]presuming the angel's name, proper[/i]. It would seem odd to me if this passage were directed at [b]nicknames[/b], for reasons which should be obvious. A nickname would presume nothing of either a Heavenly nature or diabolical (read: New Age) nature.

It also seems odd that the passage refers only to the acceptance of the names of Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. Although the other four of the "seven angels before the throne" are only named in Hebrew Tradition, they seem fairly prevalent in Catholic Tradition as well. I know you can even buy statues of the Archangel "Uriel" in most Catholic stores.

My conclusion is that, out of respect for the general authority of the Magisterium, [i]even if nicknaming one's angel is not sinful[/i] - and even if indeed the Church may one day more formally endorses it - for the time being, under this current exhortation, it is incumbent upon us to heed the above passage. Although under the three considerations I listed above, one might excuse the nicknaming of an angel, it is searching for a loop-hole at best and could prove scandalous to a more scrupulous Catholic at worst.

I [s]hate (don't hate, appreciate) (don't hate (don't hate, appreciate), appreciate)[/s] [i]appreciate [/i]it when I'm wrong.

::sigh::

Edited April 15, 2008 by Ziggamafu

[Vincent Vega]

Just a personal thing, but I prayed about/to my G.A. for a while, and the name that just kept coming up for some reason was "Philip", so I don't know if he was trying to tell to tell me it, or if I'm just psychotic, but it's just kinda stuck, so I always address him as Philip now

[Justin86]

I personally always struggled with the issue as I have no idea what to name him that would sound "angelic". I always feared that I would name him something to human.

You know, like Phillip.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1500358' date='Apr 15 2008, 05:14 PM']Just a personal thing, but I prayed about/to my G.A. for a while, and the name that just kept coming up for some reason was "Philip", so I don't know if he was trying to tell to tell me it, or if I'm just psychotic, but it's just kinda stuck, so I always address him as Philip now [/quote]
+J.M.J.+
i've heard that often, that can be the devil. just something to think about.

[Vincent Vega]

I guess...
but I don't really know why the devil would want me to call him Philip?
I mean, it's not like I look to him for spiritual guidance...just comfort that I know I have a warrior on the 'other side of the line' fighting for my cause.
[quote]I always feared that I would name him something to human.

You know, like Phillip. [/quote]
Ouch.
Haha.
Well, Philip [i]was[/i] the name of a disciple of Jesus, as I'm sure you know. Can't be that bad, right?
I guess if he had told me to call him Judas...

Edited April 16, 2008 by USAirwaysIHS

[Ziggamafu]

Uh...so did nobody think that the reference I found strictly forbids nicknames?

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Ziggamafu' post='1500030' date='Apr 15 2008, 11:03 AM'], it is searching for a loop-hole at best and could prove scandalous to a more scrupulous Catholic at worst.[/quote]
+J.M.J.+
thank you for the research! but i think this point is important, because someone could become scrupulous about this whole thing.

[CatherineM]

My boys had such strange imaginations, that if they had named their angel, it might have ended up being bad. I could see where it might lead to trouble, especially the way the new agers look at it. It might make a child more accepting of listening to channeling nonsense.

[jeffpugh]

So far, my imagination stretches as far as side commentary with my angel (or myself. depends) with the referral to the said person by the term "dude". Like, "dude, this is a hilarious/awesome thread. What could be the truth, though?"

[Legend Chaser]

I dunno. A name/nickname somehow seems to be more fitting than "Hey Angel" or something to that degree.

I've addressed my angel as Rachel as well, because people are always accidentally calling me Rachel (I have no idea why either, I am not friends with anyone with this name and my name doesn't sound like Rachel) and one day someone said maybe that's the name of your guardian angel. Of course there is no knowing! But it is nice to call my angel something. It is easier to talk to someone with a name.

I wonder if anyone has a straight answer on this. I want to make sure I'm following Church teaching regardless.

Edited April 18, 2008 by Legend Chaser

[Sister Rose Therese]

You know, there have been a number of saints who have had very close reliationships with their guardian angels. Saint Gemma comes to mind. Does anyone remember any that had names for their angels? I read the life of Saint Gemma, but it was a while ago.