Guardian Angel Names

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

I have heard conflicting views on whether our Gaurdian Angels have names, and whether or not we should refer to them as such. I generaly don't have a great grasp on the idea, so I'm not sure if I can relate it correctly. However I think the case was made that we should not use names for Guardian Angels, becasue it would be too easy to begin to think of the in human terms. Does the Church teach anything on this practice?

[phatcatholic]

well, we know of at least three guardian angels who have names--Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael--so it is certainly acceptable to refer to these angels by their names. whether other angels have names, we do not know. it is good to have an intimate relationship with your guardian angel. everyone has one, and they are of great aid to us. so, if giving your guardian angel a name helps you to form this relationship, then i think it is acceptable.

in an address on 3 October, 1958, Pope Pius XII said:[list]"We do not want to take our leave of you...without exhorting you to awaken, to revive, your sense of the invisible world which is all around us -- because we look not to the things which are seen but the things that are unseen (2 Cor 4:18) -- and to have a certain familiarly with the angels, who are forever solicitous for your salvation and your sanctification. If God wishes, you will spend a happy eternity with the angels: get to know them here, from now on."
[/list]his words emphasize the personal relationship that it is beneficial to have w/ them.

it would appear to me that the hesitancy to give your guardian angel a name really stems from the phobia that some people have of developing an intimate relationship of prayer with anyone other than God. this phobia is unwarranted, since we know that both the angels and the saints are powerful intercessors for us.

i hope that helps

pax christi,
phatcatholic