``Where
the Bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be;
even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church'' Ignatius of
Antioch, 1st c. A.D
Feast of The Holy Guardian Angels
March 24 is the Feast of St. Gabriel;
September 29, the Feast of
St. Michael;
and October 24 is the Feast of St.
Raphael. In the Novus Ordo calendar, those three feasts of the
named archangels are all celebrated on September 29, but the
traditional calendar keeps their feasts separate. Today -- October 2 --
is the Feast of the Guardian Angels -- and it is so for both calendars.
Today we honor those angels of whom each Christian has his very own.
Theologians are divided as to whether every human being, baptized or
not, has his own guardian angel, but it's certain that every baptized
Christian does. They watch over us, guide us, protect us, and inspire
us to goodness in the same way the fallen angels (demons)
tempt us to do evil. As does Our Lady, they take our prayers and offer
them to God. Truly imagine it! Apocalypse 8:3-4, my emphasis:
And another
angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and
there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the
prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne
of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints
ascended up before God from the hand
of the angel.
But how we so take our angels for granted!
Talk to your angel! Pray to him and think of him throughout the day.
Don't name your angel (exorcists strongly advise against this), and
don't try to see him: angels are spirits who sometimes take on the
appearance of being human -- and some few people, such as Padre Pio and
St. Cecilia, are
granted the grace of seeing them -- but it is not something to be
sought
because the fallen angels can -- and do -- play tricks on people. But
do
call on your angel and thank him. Seek his true friendship. From
"Devotion to the Nine Choirs of Holy
Angels and Especially to the Angel-Guardians":
Choose,
therefore, sometimes a quarter of an hour, half an hour, an hour, or
more, and, retiring apart, converse at leisure with your good angel.
Place your self on your knees before him, prostrate yourself on the
ground—for it is well to adopt this practice occasionally when alone;
ask his pardon for your ingratitude; beg his holy benediction; say all
that a good heart would prompt one to say to a faithful and loving
friend.
Speak to him one while of your needs, of your miserable
failings, of your temptations, of your weaknesses; at another of Divine
love, and of the holy ways which lead to God. Converse with him
sometimes concerning the offences which men commit against their
Sovereign, and concerning the divine interests of the Adorable Jesus and
His most blessed Mother; at other times, consider in detail the
obligations you are under to him, his goodness to you, his beauty, his
perfections, his admirable qualities. Deal with him as with a kind
father, as with a mother all tenderness, a true brother, an
incomparable friend, a zealous lover, a vigilant pastor, a charitable
guide, the witness of your most important secrets, a learned physician
to heal all your sores, an advocate, and a powerful protector, a
compassionate judge, a king entirely occupied with your welfare; in
voke him in all these characters, and in others which your love will
suggest to you. They will serve you as so many
considerations which will make you pass your time much more agreeably
than with the creatures of earth.
We say that we are dull sometimes, that we have no one to
speak to, and nothing to do: well, here is an occupation, here is
something for us to do. A nun who had no relations, friends, or
acquaintance to visit her, was asked whether, when she saw the other
nuns receiving visits, she felt no regret. "Oh, no, indeed!" she
replied, " for there is a very delightful person with whom I converse;
and when I hear that a sister is summoned to the parlour, forthwith I
go and pay him a visit." And when her meaning was not understood, she
led the way to an image of a holy angel that was in the convent : "
Behold," she said, " my father and my mother, and all my kindred and
acquaintance. Hither I come to converse,
while my sisters are talking at the grate; and I retire from my
interview at least as well satisfied as they."
We are better able to remember something by tying that something
mentally to other things -- for ex., recall the old practice of tying a
string around one's finger to remind one to do something. Maybe it's a
good idea to do this sort of thing with our angels: ex., because the
angels
are messengers, and because the ubiquitous smartphone is designed to
bring us messages, perhaps practicing giving at least a mental
nod to our angels every time we hear a phone ring or get a text message
would help
us to keep them in mind throughout the day.
But don't stop with your own angel. Keep in mind and call on the angels
of others to
protect and inspire them as well. From the same book quoted from
earlier:
A person
standing at a window which opened upon a public thoroughfare, was
struck with a ray of light which sensibly touched his heart : in this
heavenly ray he discerned that men lived in an incredible oblivion of
the world of grace. Penetrated with this truth, he set himself to
listen to what the persons who were passing through the street were
talking about ; and he heard not one word of God, or of the things of
God. No one spoke except of earth—of fine weather, of eating and
drinking, of dress, of horses, and such like things. Oh, how many
angels, he said to himself, are passing by here, accompanying these
poor people! Is it possible that not one among all this crowd is
thinking of these princes of Paradise? This thought affected him much,
and then he went to a neighbouring fair, with the object of paying his
respects to the angels of the persons who were flocking thither in
crowds from all quarters. He sighed when he beheld in so large a
gathering so little attention paid
to the numerous angels present there. He went from place to place in
order to salute them and converse with them. Truly, he exclaimed to
himself, here are far other sights to be seen than all the merchandise
and rareties of the fair!
This practice is well worthy of our imitation. We are in some
town, and are walking through the streets filled with people: Oh, why,
then, do we not contemplate interiorly the angels who accompany all
this multitude? Why do we not go out sometimes for the mere purpose of
conversing with them? You enter a church, or some large assembly: Oh,
why do you not raise yourself above the region of sense and contemplate
all the holy angels present? You are travelling in company with others;
you speak to them, you converse with them: why not also with their
guardian angels?
Don't ignore others' angels -- most especially the angels assigned to
your spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and
siblings! Your son is
late coming home? Call on his angel to
protect him! Your wife is struggling with something? Ask her angel to
help and pray for her! Need to get a message to someone but have no
means to do so? Try asking your angel to deliver it!
Customs
Some may prepare for this feast by praying a Novena to Guardian Angel
beginning on September 23 and ending on October 1.
As for prayers on this feast itself, this one from "A Little Book of
Prayers from Old English Sources" (1900) makes
for a lovely one:
I believe, O
holy Angel, that thou art appointed by God Almighty to be my guardian.
Wherefore, through Him Who has set thee to this task, I, who am so
miserable, so weak, and so unworthy, humbly ask that thou wilt ever and
always in this life watch over me; that thou wilt guard me from all
evils and ever shield me. And when God shall bid my spirit depart
hence, let not the devils have power over it, but do thou gently
receive my soul from my body and lovingly bear it into Abraham's bosom,
at the bidding and by the help of my Creator, my Saviour, and my God,
Who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen..
So do these two early 16th century prayers from a French Book of Hours.
The first one:
O my guardian,
glorious angel who from among the heavenly hierarchy has been appointed
by God as my guardian from the very moment of my birth from the womb: I
beseech thee humbly and devotedly that thou thus illuminate, protect
and defend me, entrusted to thee, driving far away the enemy who wishes
me ill; not only restrain me from evil acts, but mayest thou also urge
and induce me toward the good by thy virtue; and by the protection of
thy actions mayest thou make me at last a dweller with thee and with
those on high. Through Christ our Lord, thy Son, who liveth and
reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, O God, world without
end. Amen.
And the second one:
I beseech thee,
angelic spirit, to whom I by providence have been entrusted: that thou
guard me unceasingly, that thou protect, watch attentively, and defend
me from every attack of the devil while I am waking and sleeping, by
night and by day; for hours and moments without interruption cherish me
and watch over me, and accompany me everywhere I go. Avert from me
through the strength of God every temptation of Satan, and that which
my merits do not extinguish, by thy prayers hold fast before God, the
most merciful judge, so that nothing of a contrary strength may have a
place in me. And whenever thou seest me wandering through the steep
places of vices, by going through the paths of justice trouble thyself
to lead me back to my Redeemer and Creator. And in whatever need or
distress thou beholdst me to be, may I feel the help of almighty God
approach by means of thy covering over me. I pray thee, my guardian,
that, if it can be done, thou makest my end known to me. And when I
shall be drawn forth from this body at the command of God, do not allow
evil spirits to frighten me or make sport of me, nor allow me to fall
into the pit of desperation. And do not abandon me at all until thou
hast led me to the sight of almighty God, my creator, in which sight
may I, for work and grace and the clemency of God my Father, and thou,
as my protection, together with Mary the most blessed mother of God and
all the saints forever be joyful and rejoice together with Christ,
world without end. Amen.
And there's the Litany to
our Holy Angel-Guardian that we can pray as well. But the most
common Guardian Angel prayer, and one you
should
most definitely teach to
your children to pray in the mornings (maybe before breakfast -- at
some precise time so they remember) and at night,
before bed, is the
classic "Angel of God":
Angel of God, my
guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day [or night] be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
You might enjoy this song sung to one's Guardian Angel, which could
make for another form of prayer when sung with the right intentions:
Guardian Angel
Guardian angel, From heaven so bright,
Watching beside me, to lead me aright,
Fold thy wings round me, O guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me, of heav’n above.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.
Angel so holy! Whom God sends to me,
Sinful and lowly, My guardian to be;
Wilt thou not cherish The child of thy care?
Let me not perish My trust is thy pray’r.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.
O may I never forget thou art near;
But keep me forever in love and in fear.
Waking and sleeping, in labor and rest,
In thy sweet keeping my life shall be blest.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.
Angel, dear Angel Oh, close by me stay;
Safe from harm shield me, All ill keep away
Then thou wilt lead me When this life is o’er
To Jesus and Mary To praise evermore.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.
Then, of course,
there is Brahm's famous lullaby, which mentions Guardian angels
protecting the sleeping baby
(note that "bedight" means "adorned"):
Lullaby and good
night,
with roses bedight,
With lilies o’er spread
is baby’s wee bed.
Lay thee down now and rest,
may thy slumber be blessed.
Lay thee down now and rest,
may thy slumber be blessed.
Lullaby and good night,
thy mother’s delight.
Bright angels beside
my darling abide.
They will guard thee at rest,
thou shalt wake on my breast.
They will guard thee at rest,
thou shalt wake on my breast.
Guten Abend,
gut' Nacht
Mit Rosen bedacht
Mit Näglein besteckt
Schlüpf unter die Deck'
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will
Wirst du wieder geweckt
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will
Wirst du wieder geweckt
Guten Abend, gut' Nacht
Von Englein bewacht
Die zeigen im Traum
Dir Christkindleins Baum
Schlaf nun selig und süß
Schau im Traum 's Paradies
Schlaf nun selig und süß
Schau im Traum 's Paradies
This old spiritual -- "All Night, All Day (Angels Watching Over Me)" --
is a
nice one to teach your children. It's a good car-singing song,
especially if you harmonize and throw in a "rhythm track" by including
clapping and foot-stomping. This
version is sung by the Oak Ridge Boys (the last two verses below aren't
sung in this version, but they'd make a good lullaby for children):
Chorus:
All night, all day
Angels watchin' over me, my Lord
All night, all day
Angels watchin' over me.
Chorus
Well I went down to the valley to pray
Angels watchin' over me, my Lord
My soul got happy I stayed all day
Angels watchin' over me.
Chorus
Now when my heart is sad and blue
Angels watchin' over me, my Lord
I call on Him to see me through
Angels watchin' over me.
Chorus
Well if you get there before I do
Angels watchin' over me, my Lord
Tell all my friends that I'm comin' too
Angels watchin' over me.
Chorus
Now I lay me down to sleep.
Angels watchin' over me, my Lord.
Pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Angels watchin' over me.
Chorus
Lord, stay with me through the night.
Angels watchin' over me, my Lord.
Wake me with the morning light.
Angels watchin' over me.
As to foods for the day,
what could be more fitting than Angel Hair Pasta and Angel Food Cake?
Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp (serves 4)
1 1/2 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined
12 ounces angel hair pasta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. fresh grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving a half a cup of
the pasta water. While it's cooking, heat the butter and olive oil in a
big skillet over
medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cook until lightly
golden and the oil is
flavored, then remove the garlic and toss out. Add the shrimp to the
garlic oil;
sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Cook
over medium heat until shrimp is opaque.Take off heat, add the pasta,
some reserved pasta water (start with 1/4 cup and see if you need
more), zest, and lemon juice and toss.Top with parmesan cheese,
and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of parsley to make it pretty. Serve
with salad, a good bread, and white wine.
Angel Food Cake
Whites of 9 large eggs (you want 1 1/4 cups of whites), at
room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup cake flour
1 1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Place oven rack in the lowest position and preheat oven to
350°.
Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.
Mix together the cream of tartar, extracts, salt, and egg
whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add
remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until
stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a
time.
Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through
batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake until lightly browned
and entire top appears dry, 35-40 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool
completely, upside-down, for about 1 hour. Run a knife around side and
center tube of
pan to remove from pan. Top with fruit and whipped cream, or ice with
buttercream:
Fluffy
Buttercream
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Cream together butter and shortening. Add the powdered sugar,
vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until well blended. Slowly mix in the
heavy cream. Once it is fully mixed in, beat for 5-7 minutes. (You can
make it a flavored buttercream by mixing in 1/4 cup of pureed
strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, or other soft fruit).
Another option is to make angel-shaped sugar cookies. Recipe here, and a 6" tall angel template to use
here (you can download and resize it in a graphics program if you
prefer it smaller). Just print
out the angel, place it onto a piece of cardboard, cut along the lines
so that both
the paper and cardboard are cut, and then place the angel-shaped
cardboard on top of your cookie dough, tracing around it with a knife
to cut out your cookies).
You and your children could also spend some time using the angel
template to make angel ornaments out of salt
dough Baker's Clay for your Christmas tree (Christmas is just a few
months away) -- or you could make an angel for each child to paint and
to hang in his window to remind him of the ever-presence of his
Guardian Angel.
Whatever you do though, please don't dress up teddy bears and such to
look like angels, or tell your children that when someone dies, he
"gets his wings" and "becomes an angel." They must have a true
conception of angels as spirit beings of great power and intellect,
created by God to help keep the order the universe, serve Him, and help
us attain eternal life. Don't sentimentalize them, turn them into gooey
Hallmark card caricatures, or otherwise distort their true nature. This
is so important!
Pope St. Clement
Epistle to the
Corinthians, c. A.D. 96
Great is the reward of good works with God. Joined together in harmony,
let us implore that reward from Him.
The good servant receives the bread of his labour with confidence;
the lazy and slothful cannot look his employer in the face. It is
requisite, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of well-doing;
for of Him are all things. And thus He forewarns us: “Behold, the Lord
[cometh], and His reward is before His face, to render to every man
according to his work.” He exhorts us, therefore, with our whole
heart to attend to this, that we be not lazy or slothful in any good
work. Let our boasting and our confidence be in Him. Let us submit
ourselves to His will. Let us consider the whole multitude of His
angels, how they stand ever ready to minister to His will. For the
Scripture saith, “Ten thousand times ten thousand stood around Him, and
thousands of thousands ministered unto Him, and cried, Holy, holy,
holy, [is] the Lord of Sabaoth; the whole creation is full of His
glory.” And let us therefore, conscientiously gathering together in
harmony, cry to Him earnestly, as with one mouth, that we may be made
partakers of His great and glorious promises. For [the Scripture]
saith, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which He hath prepared for them that wait for
Him.”
Excerpt from a letter Padre Pio wrote to Anita, one of his
spiritual daughters
July 15, 1913
May your good guardian angel always watch over you, and be your guide
on the rough path of life. May he always keep you in the grace of Jesus
and hold you up with his hands so that you may not hurt your foot on a
stone. May he protect you under his wings from all the deceits of the
world, the devil and the flesh.
Have great devotion, Anita, to this beneficent angel. How consoling it
is to know that we have a spirit who, from the womb to the tomb, never
leaves us even for an instant, not even when we dare to sin. And this
heavenly spirit guides and protects us like a friend, a brother.
But it is very consoling to know that this angel prays unceasingly for
us, and offers God all of our good actions, our thoughts, and our
desires, if they are pure.
Oh! For goodness’ sake, don’t forget this invisible companion, ever
present, ever disposed to listen to us and even more ready to console
us. Oh, wonderful intimacy! Oh, blessed companionship! If only we could
understand it! Keep him always before your mind’s eye. Remember this
angel’s presence often, thank him, pray to him, always keep up a good
relationship. Open yourself up to him and confide your suffering to
him. Be always afraid of offending the purity of his gaze. Know this,
and keep it well present in your mind. He is easily offended, very
sensitive. Turn to him in moments of supreme anguish and you will
experience his beneficent help.
Never say that you are alone in the battle against your enemies; never
say that you have no one to whom you can open your heart and confide.
It would be a grave injustice to this heavenly messenger.