Annotation LXXVII

”Their angels always see the face of the Father.” — Matthew 18:10

Whether to individual men individual angels are assigned for [their] guard.

Thomas Cajetan [says]: “Note well that he does not say, ‘Their individual angels,’ but says, ‘Their angels.’ For from this text it is not had that individual men, or even the individual little ones believing in Christ (of whom the text literally speaks), have individual angels; but only that they have blessed angels — for the verification of which it is not required that there be individual angels of individuals, but it suffices that there be many angels of them, that is, of their multitude.” Ambrose [Catharinus], bishop of Compsa, in the second book [of his Annotations], disapproves this thus: “I confess that the words do not compel [it]; but since they are not repugnant, but rather agree [with it]; and since reason favors [it]; and since the theologians take this dogma from here; and since it has now been persuaded to all [men]; and since it moves toward edification — exciting charity

toward God, and calling forth from us thanksgivings toward God himself for his so great providence over us, and toward the angels themselves for their peculiar care over us, and not [merely] a common [care]; and since Scripture also elsewhere favors [it], which hints that a peculiar angel was the guardian of Peter — which Cajetan himself also noted: [this dogma] ought not in any way to be called into doubt.”