In the angelology of St. Thomas Aquinas, he begins with the metaphysical view that essences can only be multiplied through matter. So my uniqueness is due to the fact that I am this particular body/soul composite while you are that particular body/soul composite.

Thus our names. I have my Christian name, with which I was baptized and named before God. I have my family name, which marks me as a member of a particular family and a familial line. I have my confirmation name, wherein I chose another heavenly patron when my baptism was sealed.

Thus too our titles, which can mark out our vocation or avocations. That tell the story of our education and employment, and (hopefully) also of our skills and experience. That mark us as priests and religious, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, healers, teachers, etc.

But angels are, by definition, separate substances. They are not composites of body and soul, matter and form. They are pure form, completely spiritual. And thus each angel is a species unto himself. There is no multiplication of the species among different individuals.

And thus each angel is the perfect expression of his nature. This is why each angel’s name tells of his mission, of his purpose, of his very nature. And we can see this in the three angels that we see named in Sacred Scripture.

Michael means, “Who is like God?” A question that expects the only correct answer: “No one.” And thus too the battle cry of the heavenly host against Satan, who would feign being like unto God. His name is his mission and the battle cry and standard to which his army rallies.

Gabriel means, “Strength of God.” The strength of a trumpet blast announcing the Lord’s coming. The Strength of God announcing the coming of He Who would trample all the powers under His feat, Who would trample sin, and death, and the netherworld.

Raphael means, “God’s Healing.” The physical healing given to Tobit. The spiritual healing given to Sarah. The healing of the sorrow of two families as joy replaces tears as a young man and women are joined in love and faith unto death.

Their names are who they are. To be Michael is to possess the fullness of Michael-ness. To be Gabriel is to possess the fullness of Gabriel-ness. To be Raphael is to possess the fullness of Raphael-ness. Each one perfectly themselves. There can be no other.

They are each a species of one, perfectly instantiating the missions given them before the foundation of the world. And as it is for them, so it is for each of their brothers, from lowliest angel to highest seraph. A species of one. Unique in name, unique in mission.

So why, on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, is this so important? Our Lord tells us that the angel of even the littlest one continually beholds the face of His Heavenly Father. We each have, before the throne of God, a heavenly guardian and protector.

And if St. Thomas is correct, each of us has been given an angel who was created before the foundation of the world to serve, by his very nature, as our guardian and protector. The fullness of who he is is intimately wrapped up in praying for us and driving the enemy from us.

His name, known but to God, is his nature. His name is his mission. And his mission is my salvation. It’s your salvation. And I think that’s a pretty cool thing, and certainly one worth celebrating. All our holy guardian angels, pray for us.