In this culture of social media, messaging is something to which youth can easily relate.

For them, messages may be sent and returned in an instant, without any personal interaction at all. But Scripture teaches us that in the time of the Hebrew people, messages often came with the aid of an angel.

Those were the messages you didn’t want to miss because they were messages from God.

Among those very important messages was the most important one for humanity, in which the Angel Gabriel came to a young Jewish woman to tell her God had chosen her to be the mother of the savior of the world – Jesus, the Son of God.

We can only imagine how this message, and this opportunity, confused all of Mary’s plans for what her life would be like,” and yet she listened to Gabriel’s words, “Be not afraid,” and offered her freely chosen “yes” to God.

This marked the moment Jesus was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. This life-changing message for Mary and whole of humanity, and Mary’s response, is celebrated as the Solemnity of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25.

And, though in the middle of Lent, the Annunciation is a feast of joy. The liturgical color is white instead of the Lenten purple, and, unlike during Lent, the Gloria is sung at Mass. Also, a solemnity is the highest-ranking feast in the liturgical calendar, certainly appropriate for the event which brought God into the world as one of us.

And there, at the heart of the story, is the Archangel Gabriel, sent as God’s messenger.

We see this often in Scripture, God using his angels as messengers, to enlighten, protect and lead people to God. In a 2018 homily, Pope Francis recalled God’s words to Moses from the Book of Exodus: “Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.”

In a 2018 homily on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Pope Francis spoke about life as a journey and shared some interesting thoughts about angels, and their importance in our lives:

• “There is the danger of not going on the journey. And how many people settle down, and don’t set out on the journey, and their whole life is stalled, without moving, without doing anything…The angels help us, they push us to continue on the journey.”
• “I want to ask you a question: Do you speak with your angel? … Do you listen to your angel? Do you allow yourself to be led by hand along the path, or do you need to be pushed to move?”
• “Our angel is not only with us; he also sees God the Father. He is in relationship with Him. He is the daily bridge; from the moment we arise to the moment we go to bed. He accompanies us and is a link between us and God the Father. … Let us not forget these companions on the journey …”

Spend some time reflecting on the words of Pope Francis and consider your own relationship with the angels, especially your own guardian angel. Then reflect on how you can help your students learn more about the angels. Consider the following:

Pray the Guardian Angel Prayer with your students as often as you can. Repetition will enable students to memorize the short prayer and pray it when they feel the need of courage or comfort – 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

Encourage children to listen to their angels, especially when making difficult decisions – This is a process of discernment, prayer and time to ask for and listen for guidance. It prevents hasty decisions that often lead to very big mistakes.

Encourage your students to create an artistic rendering of their guardian angel – We don’t know what angels look like, but giving children the opportunity to imagine their angel will help them give form and shape and personality to a protector given to them by God.

Take to heart the words of St. Pope John Paul II – "Teach the children that they are never alone, that an angel is at their side. Show them how to have a trusting conversation with the angel, who is a good advisor and intercedes for you and helps you in your needs." – St. Pope John Paul II

About the Author
Mary Clifford Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to ten, is a Catholic journalist, editor, and author who has served the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey; Burlington, Vermont, and RENEW International in the areas of religious education and communication.