Why can dogs and little kids see angels?
I also received the question: “Why can’t kids and animals see angles [sic] and ghosts?”
First of all, I wouldn’t lump angels (or angles or any other geometric figures) and ghosts in the same category. Angels play a significant part in our faith. Ghosts, if they even exist (I don’t know), do not play any part in our faith. Angels exist. In the scriptures, angels are mentioned 304 times. Some of these mentions are accounts of some appearance or action of an angel. For instance, in the Book of Tobit, the archangel Raphael disguises himself as a human to guide and to help the main characters of that story.
Now as for us, or dogs, or little kids seeing angels, sure, it’s possible. I don’t think there is a certain age limit or anything like that. Maybe angels are more willing to appear to the humble, I don’t know. I’ve never seen an angel, but I believe I may have had at least an experience or two that I must attribute to my guardian angel.
We just celebrated this last week two feast days for angels. September 29th was the feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael, Archangels, and October 2nd was the feast of the Guardian Angels. Now we shouldn’t get too carried away with angels, but this time of year we are reminded of their mission as messengers, as healers, and as protectors. St. Josemaría Escrivá had a great devotion to his guardian angel and even made the habit of greeting the angels of other people whom he met. We should have a friendship with our own guardian angel, asking for its help and guidance. And you never know, you might encounter an angel in disguise for the Book of Hebrews says, “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. “(Heb 13:2)
-Fr. Greg
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