Guardian Angel of Portugal

Guardian Angel of Portugal
The Guardian Angel of Portugal appearing to Afonso Henriques before the Battle of Ourique
Angel of Peace, of the Motherland and of the Eucharist
Venerated in	Portugal, Catholic Church
Canonized	1504
Major shrine	Sanctuary of Fátima
Feast	June 10
Attributes	Archangel carrying the Portuguese Shield
Patronage	Portugal

The Guardian Angel of Portugal (Portuguese: Anjo da Guarda de Portugal) is the emanation of Saint Michael the Archangel as the guardian angel of Portugal. He represents the spiritual essence of Portugal in the form of an archangel that protects the Portuguese Nation.

He is also referred simply as the Angel of Portugal (Anjo de Portugal), the Saint Guardian Angel of Portugal (Santo Anjo da Guarda de Portugal), the Custodian Angel (Anjo Custódio) or the Angel of Peace (Anjo da Paz).

In 1504, by request of King Manuel I of Portugal, Pope Julius II created the feast of the Custodian Angel of the Kingdom (Anjo Custódio do Reino), whose cult would already be ancient in Portugal. The request have been made to Pope Leon X and he authorized the realization of the feast in the third Sunday of July.

The first appearance of Saint Michael as the Guardian Angel of Portugal would have happened in the Battle of Ourique in 1139, given the victory to the Portuguese forces of Afonso Henriques over the Muslims, allowing him to proclaim himself as the first King of Portugal.

The devotion to the Guardian Angel of Portugal almost disappeared after the 17th century, but was restored in 1952, being inserted in the Portuguese Liturgical Calendar, by Pius XII, to commemorate the Day of Portugal at June 10th.

In her Memoirs, Sister Lúcia of Fátima tells that, between April and October, 1916, during the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima, an angel appeared three times to the three children, inviting them to the praying and penitence, affirming himself as the Angel of Portugal. This angel would have taught, to the children, two prayers, that become known as the Prayers of the Angel and that are still very used specially in the Eucharist.

Representation of the Angel of Portugal in the apparitions to the three children in Fátima.