Gospel in Art: Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels

The Guardian Angel, by Franceschini © Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 2 October 2025
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

'See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. From the very beginning of life until its end, God entrusts each of us to the care of a guardian angel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 336) reminds us: "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." These are such wonderful words, yet how rarely we pause to reflect on these words. Even some of us may never pay much attention to angels, let alone believe in them? The knowledge that every moment of our lives is accompanied by this hidden presence of an angel, as a silent guardian walking with us, guiding us and protecting, is very comforting.

Guardian angels are not distant, abstract beings; they are personal guides and thus very close to us. Today we can take time to pray to our guardian angel. Even if you have never done that, take a moment to do so.

In fact, today's Gospel brings this to life. Jesus places a child before His disciples and teaches that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become like little children. He goes on to say: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Our guardian angels, then, are intimately connected both with us and with God: they stand before His face, while at the same time walking alongside us. They are bridges between heaven and earth, reminding us that we are never alone on the journey of faith. Today Jesus reminds us to give thanks to these unseen companions who walk beside us.

Here's a beautiful work that captures the gentle power of God's angelic protection: The Guardian Angel by Marcantonio Franceschini, painted in 1716. It presents a graceful angel guiding a child forward, whilst pointing to the heavens. The guardian angel's wings spread protectively. The child lets himself be grabbed by the hand and be led. In our Gospel reading, Jesus invites us to be precisely like the child depicted in our painting. Marcantonio Franceschini was an Italian painter from Bologna, rooted in the classical tradition of the Carracci school. Bolognese painting of this period is marked by classical harmony, blending in with Baroque emotion.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-18-1-5-10-2025/