Guardian Angel of Portugal
The Guardian Angel of Portugal (Portuguese: Anjo da Guarda de Portugal) is also referred to as the Angel of Portugal (Anjo de Portugal), the Holy Guardian Angel of Portugal (Santo Anjo da Guarda de Portugal), the Custodian Angel (Anjo Custódio) or the Angel of Peace (Anjo da Paz). Portugal celebrates the feast of "the Angel of Portugal" on June 10.[1]
Guardian Angel of Portugal | |
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Afonso Henriques's vision of Jesus Christ and of the Guardian Angel of Portugal during the Battle of Ourique (1139) | |
Angel of Peace, of the Motherland and of the Eucharist | |
Venerated in | Portugal, Catholic Church |
Major shrine | Sanctuary of Fátima |
Feast | June 10 |
Attributes | Archangel carrying the Portuguese Shield |
Patronage | Portugal |
The Angel allegedly made three 1916 appearances to the three children who soon claimed to experience a series of Marian apparitions during the 1917 Our Lady of Fátima events.
History
Construction began on Batalha Monastery in 1386. The east wall of the chapel had an altar dedicated to the Guardian Angel of Portugal.[2] In 1504, by request of King Manuel I of Portugal, Pope Julius II created the feast of the Custodian Angel of the Kingdom (Anjo Custódio do Reino), whose cult would already be ancient in Portugal.
Devotion to the Guardian Angel of Portugal almost disappeared after the 17th century but was restored in 1952, being inserted into the Portuguese Liturgical Calendar by Pius XII.
The angel made his first appearance in the Battle of Ourique, and its devotion gave such a victory to D. Afonso Henriques's forces over the Muslim invaders that it gave him the opportunity to proclaim himself King of Portugal.
Apparitions in Fátima, 1916
In her Memoirs, the Portuguese Carmelite nun Sister Lúcia, seer of Our Lady of Fátima, tells that, between April and October, 1916, an angel appeared three times to her and to Francisco and Jacinta Marto, in Fátima, Portugal, inviting them to prayer and penitence. The angel identified himself as "the Angel of Peace" and "your country['s] ... Angel Guardian, the Angel of Portugal."[3]
The children said the Angel of Peace taught them two prayers, the Theological Prayer and the Trinitarian Prayer.
References
- "Guardian Angel of "You and the People" (cf. Ex 33,1–4)", Opus Angelorum
- Karl Baedeker. Spain and Portugal: Handbook for Travellers, 1898, p. 558
- Horgan, Rev. John (2018-05-18). "The Angel of Fatima, a Messenger of Peace". Catholic Exchange. Retrieved 2019-05-27.