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 a title of Saint Michael the Archangel, as the guardian angel of Portugal.

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 having been made to Pope Leon X, he authorized the feast, celebrated on the third Sunday of July.

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

Devotion to the Guardian Angel of Portugal almost disappeared after the 17th century but was restored in 1952, being inserted into the Portuguese Liturgical Calendar by Pius XII.

In her Memoirs, the Portuguese Carmelite nun Sister Lúcia tells that, between April and October, 1917, before the apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima, an angel appeared three times to the three children, inviting them to prayer and penitence, affirming himself as the Angel of Portugal (or Angel of Peace). The angel taught the children two prayers which become known as the "Prayers of the Angel" and which are still very used, especially in Eucharist celebrations.