St. Padre Pio and the Guardian Angels: “Send Me Your Guardian Angel”

St. Padre Pio had a beautiful devotion to the holy angels, especially his own Guardian Angel.

Accounts from those who knew him describe Padre Pio encouraging people to send their Guardian Angel to him when they needed prayer but could not reach him personally. He had tremendous confidence in the ministry God gives the angels and frequently encouraged the faithful to remember that their Guardian Angel was always near.

It raises a beautiful thought:

If Padre Pio had such love for the Guardian Angels during his earthly life, why not ask for his intercession now—and ask him to send his Guardian Angel to help us?

Padre Pio Believed We Should Use This Heavenly Help

Our Guardian Angel isn't merely something we learned about as children.

Jesus Himself speaks of angels who watch over His little ones:

“Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 18:10

The Church teaches that angels are real spiritual creatures and that human life is surrounded by their watchful care.

Padre Pio took this reality seriously.

When spiritual children were far away or unable to communicate with him, he reportedly told them, in various accounts, to send their Guardian Angel.

It is a wonderful reminder that Heaven is much closer than we sometimes imagine.

Padre Pio's Guardian Angel

Padre Pio frequently spoke about his own Guardian Angel and encouraged others to develop a relationship with theirs.

Devotional accounts surrounding his life describe extraordinary experiences involving angels. As with stories about any saint or mystic, we should distinguish such accounts from the doctrines of the Faith. We don't have to accept every extraordinary story in order to embrace the beautiful truth underneath them:

God has given us angels, and we should ask for their help.

Can We Ask Padre Pio to Send His Guardian Angel?

We can certainly ask St. Padre Pio to intercede for us, and we can ask God to send His holy angels to protect and assist us.

We don't command angels as though they belonged to us. Angels belong to God and accomplish His will.

So rather than treating this as a formula, we can make it a simple prayer of trust:

“St. Padre Pio, you had such a beautiful friendship with your Guardian Angel. Please intercede for me. If it be God's will, ask that your Guardian Angel and the holy angels assist me in this need. Help me to trust in God's protection and Providence. Amen.”

Ask for Help When You Are Afraid

Maybe you are going into surgery.

Maybe someone you love is traveling.

Maybe your spouse is having an especially difficult day.

Maybe your child is far away.

Maybe you are frightened at night.

Maybe you are facing temptation.

Maybe there is a situation you simply cannot control.

Instead of allowing fear to take over, pray:

“St. Padre Pio, pray for us.”

“Holy Guardian Angels, protect us.”

“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us.”

And then:

“Jesus, I trust in You.”

Send Your Own Guardian Angel Too

Padre Pio's example should also remind us to speak to our own Guardian Angel.

Before leaving home:

“Guardian Angel, protect me.”

Before an important conversation:

“Guardian Angel, help me.”

When worried about someone:

“My Guardian Angel, according to God's will, assist me in praying for this person.”

Before Mass:

“Guardian Angel, help me worship Jesus with greater reverence.”

Before going to sleep:

“Guardian Angel, watch over me tonight.”

We have extraordinary heavenly help available to us, yet how often do we forget to ask?

Ask Padre Pio Today

Perhaps you have a situation that feels impossible right now.

Bring it to Padre Pio.

Ask for his intercession.

Ask your Guardian Angel for assistance.

Ask St. Michael for protection.

And above all, place the entire situation into the hands of Jesus Christ.

Padre Pio continually pointed souls toward prayer, Confession, the Holy Mass, Our Lady, and confidence in God.

His famous advice remains just as necessary today:

“Pray, hope, and don't worry.”

So today, perhaps our prayer can be:

St. Padre Pio, I need your prayers today. You loved and trusted the holy angels so deeply. Please intercede for me and, if it pleases God, ask your Guardian Angel to come to my assistance. Ask my own Guardian Angel to protect and guide me as well. Keep me close to Our Lady and lead me closer to Jesus. Help me stop worrying about what I cannot control and trust completely in God's Providence. Amen.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us.
Our Guardian Angels, watch over us.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.