In the lives of the saints we also find many simple men and women for whom the angels were companions and helpers in their daily life and work. St. Isidore the Farmer, who is venerated throughout Spain and the Hispanic world, received assistance from the angels with his work in the fields. It is said he would become wrapped in prayer and the angels would carry on his plowing and other labors for him.
The angels came repeatedly to Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (1769– 1837), the poor Roman housewife and mother of seven children who was graced by God with extraordinary gifts of prophecy and prayer. Though illiterate, she was able to see events of the past, present, and future — all for the purpose of bringing comfort and strength to Christ’s Church and to souls who were burdened with heavy crosses. But these gifts were not the source of her holiness; Anna Maria was first and foremost a wife and mother. Her husband was a good but uneducated man who sometimes had a difficult temper. Her children were her constant concern, even after they had married and left home.
Anna Maria Taigi did everything in the presence of her guardian angel, sending him to bring comfort to the sick and protection to those who were tempted. We can do the same thing: Every day we can speak to the angels of the poor, of the sick, and of the strangers whom we see in the streets. If you find yourself distracted by someone in church, speak to that person’s guardian angel, apologize for your distraction, and tell him that you pray that his work will be successful this day and that he will bring his charge ever closer to Christ.