The Month of the Holy Angels
October 11th
Unfortunately, so far from corresponding with their efforts for our welfare, we constantly impede them by our sins and imperfections. If only we knew them better and loved them more, and were more docile to their constant whisperings, our happiness would be unspeakably great.
~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)
October 11th
Unfortunately, so far from corresponding with their efforts for our welfare, we constantly impede them by our sins and imperfections. If only we knew them better and loved them more, and were more docile to their constant whisperings, our happiness would be unspeakably great.
~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 11th
Example of the Saints (continued)
Among women saints whose devotion to their guardian angels has been underscored by their biographers, we shall here mention three. St. Frances of Rome, wife, mother, and, after her husband’s death, a religious, was granted the privilege of the visible presence of her guardian angel and conversation with him. The Collect of the Mass for her feast day, March 9, stresses this rare favor: "O God, who among other gifts of Thy grace, hast honored Thy blessed servant Frances with the familiar companionship of her guardian angel: grant we beseech Thee, that helped by her prayers we may merit to attain to the company of the angels. Through our Lord.”
(continued)
October 11th
Example of the Saints (continued)
Among women saints whose devotion to their guardian angels has been underscored by their biographers, we shall here mention three. St. Frances of Rome, wife, mother, and, after her husband’s death, a religious, was granted the privilege of the visible presence of her guardian angel and conversation with him. The Collect of the Mass for her feast day, March 9, stresses this rare favor: "O God, who among other gifts of Thy grace, hast honored Thy blessed servant Frances with the familiar companionship of her guardian angel: grant we beseech Thee, that helped by her prayers we may merit to attain to the company of the angels. Through our Lord.”
(continued)
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The Month of the Holy Angels
October 11th
Closer to our own time, St. Therese of the Child Jesus was brought up by God-fearing parents to have special love and reverence for the angel commissioned to guide and guard her. "Knowing how weak a child I am,” the Little Flower wrote poetically, "by thy strong hand thou guidest me.”
There is no denying that the Lily of the Pontine marshes, St. Maria Goretti, was very dear to and devoted to her guardian angel. The little girl kept her soul unsullied because it was confided to a Queen and her angelic court. Maria Goretti’s conscience and her ever-vigilant angel whispered "No!” into her ear when the tempter tried to seduce her. So accustomed was the child to follow these admonitions and the promptings of divine grace that she did it even when obedience meant fourteen deathly stabs from a depraved youth.
~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 11th
Closer to our own time, St. Therese of the Child Jesus was brought up by God-fearing parents to have special love and reverence for the angel commissioned to guide and guard her. "Knowing how weak a child I am,” the Little Flower wrote poetically, "by thy strong hand thou guidest me.”
There is no denying that the Lily of the Pontine marshes, St. Maria Goretti, was very dear to and devoted to her guardian angel. The little girl kept her soul unsullied because it was confided to a Queen and her angelic court. Maria Goretti’s conscience and her ever-vigilant angel whispered "No!” into her ear when the tempter tried to seduce her. So accustomed was the child to follow these admonitions and the promptings of divine grace that she did it even when obedience meant fourteen deathly stabs from a depraved youth.
~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)
Forwarded from Chantbird’s Garden of Song
HYMN
What mortal tongue can sing thy praise,
Dear Mother of the Lord?
To Angels only it belongs
Thy glory to record.
Who born of man can penetrate
Thy soul's majestic shrine?
Who can thy mighty gifts unfold,
Or rightly them divine?
Say, Virgin, what sweet force was that
Which from the Father's breast,
Drew forth His co-eternal Son,
To be thy bosom's guest?
'Twas not thy guileless faith alone
That lifted thee so high,
'Twas not thy pure seraphic love
Nor peerless chastity.
~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)
What mortal tongue can sing thy praise,
Dear Mother of the Lord?
To Angels only it belongs
Thy glory to record.
Who born of man can penetrate
Thy soul's majestic shrine?
Who can thy mighty gifts unfold,
Or rightly them divine?
Say, Virgin, what sweet force was that
Which from the Father's breast,
Drew forth His co-eternal Son,
To be thy bosom's guest?
'Twas not thy guileless faith alone
That lifted thee so high,
'Twas not thy pure seraphic love
Nor peerless chastity.
~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)
MARIA MAGNIFICATA
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The Month of the Holy Rosary
October 11th
11th Day.—The Incarnation
The Word was made Flesh. (St. John i. 14.)
1. God would not take flesh in Mary's womb without her consent. The Angel, after giving his message, awaited her reply. No false humility prevented Mary from obeying the mandate: no self-consciousness made her shrink back. In words which are a model of obedience and prudence and forgetfulness of self she accepted the Divine Maternity: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.
(continued)
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The Month of the Holy Rosary
October 11th
11th Day.—The Incarnation
The Word was made Flesh. (St. John i. 14.)
1. God would not take flesh in Mary's womb without her consent. The Angel, after giving his message, awaited her reply. No false humility prevented Mary from obeying the mandate: no self-consciousness made her shrink back. In words which are a model of obedience and prudence and forgetfulness of self she accepted the Divine Maternity: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.
(continued)
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11th Day.—The Incarnation
2. One thing only was present to Mary's mind when she spoke these words: the wish to do exactly what God desired of her. This is the secret of all true virtue— to make His will the motive and the guiding principle of every action we do. If we do this, we shall soon be saints.
3. When Mary spoke these words an event took place which seems incredible. The Infinite God became of the same nature with one of His finite creatures. The union between Mary and her God became the most intimate possible to any created being. God became flesh of her flesh and bone of her bone. What must have been the more than angelic purity of her nature before her God came to dwell with her! What must have been her almost infinite dignity after He had taken flesh in her sacred womb!
For the Heaven He left He found Heaven in thee,
For He shines in thy shining, Sweet Star of the Sea!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
11th Day.—The Incarnation
2. One thing only was present to Mary's mind when she spoke these words: the wish to do exactly what God desired of her. This is the secret of all true virtue— to make His will the motive and the guiding principle of every action we do. If we do this, we shall soon be saints.
3. When Mary spoke these words an event took place which seems incredible. The Infinite God became of the same nature with one of His finite creatures. The union between Mary and her God became the most intimate possible to any created being. God became flesh of her flesh and bone of her bone. What must have been the more than angelic purity of her nature before her God came to dwell with her! What must have been her almost infinite dignity after He had taken flesh in her sacred womb!
For the Heaven He left He found Heaven in thee,
For He shines in thy shining, Sweet Star of the Sea!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
MARIA MAGNIFICATA
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The Month of the Holy Rosary
October 12th
12th Day.—The Visitation
As soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. (St. Luke i. 46.)
1. Mary's first action after God had come to dwell in her was one of self-denying charity. She undertook a troublesome journey in order to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Thus she proclaimed charity to be the virtue which above all Christ brought with Him from heaven. "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have charity one to another." How can I stand this test?
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The Month of the Holy Rosary
October 12th
12th Day.—The Visitation
As soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. (St. Luke i. 46.)
1. Mary's first action after God had come to dwell in her was one of self-denying charity. She undertook a troublesome journey in order to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Thus she proclaimed charity to be the virtue which above all Christ brought with Him from heaven. "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have charity one to another." How can I stand this test?
(continued)
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12th Day.—The Visitation
2. God made Mary's visit the occasion of a wonderful miracle. On her entrance into St. Elizabeth's dwelling, St. John Baptist was cleansed from sin in his mother's womb. Mary was the channel of the exceptional privilege of the cleansing away of sin in the case of the unborn child. As then so now: Mary is the channel of all graces, and above all, of the restoration of the sinner to friendship with God.
3. Mary's charity is not less present now than at the time of the Visitation. Nay, she is far more eager now than then to promote the happiness and console the sorrows of those who fly to her for succor. Why do not I obtain more graces and blessings than I do through Mary's intercession? It is no fault of hers— it is, alas! because I am proud, self-willed, obstinate, selfish, indifferent.
Mother of God, Star of the Sea,
Pray for a wanderer, pray for me!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
12th Day.—The Visitation
2. God made Mary's visit the occasion of a wonderful miracle. On her entrance into St. Elizabeth's dwelling, St. John Baptist was cleansed from sin in his mother's womb. Mary was the channel of the exceptional privilege of the cleansing away of sin in the case of the unborn child. As then so now: Mary is the channel of all graces, and above all, of the restoration of the sinner to friendship with God.
3. Mary's charity is not less present now than at the time of the Visitation. Nay, she is far more eager now than then to promote the happiness and console the sorrows of those who fly to her for succor. Why do not I obtain more graces and blessings than I do through Mary's intercession? It is no fault of hers— it is, alas! because I am proud, self-willed, obstinate, selfish, indifferent.
Mother of God, Star of the Sea,
Pray for a wanderer, pray for me!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
Virgo Potens pinned «2 of 2 12th Day.—The Visitation 2. God made Mary's visit the occasion of a wonderful miracle. On her entrance into St. Elizabeth's dwelling, St. John Baptist was cleansed from sin in his mother's womb. Mary was the channel of the exceptional privilege…»
Forwarded from Catholic Universe
This Feast, which is now a double of the 2nd class, was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1931 as a commemoration of the fifteenth centenary of the Council of Ephesus in 431.
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October 11th ~ FEAST of the MATERNITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
O GOD, Who wast pleased that Thy Word should take flesh at the angel’s message in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliants, that, believing her to be truly the Mother of God, we may be helped by her intercession with Thee.
Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Collect, October 11th, Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
~ St. Joseph Daily Missal, 1950
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October 11th ~ FEAST of the MATERNITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
O GOD, Who wast pleased that Thy Word should take flesh at the angel’s message in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliants, that, believing her to be truly the Mother of God, we may be helped by her intercession with Thee.
Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Collect, October 11th, Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
~ St. Joseph Daily Missal, 1950
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Forwarded from Chantbird’s Garden of Song
HYMN
Whither thus in holy rapture
Princely Maiden art thou bent?
Why so fleetly art thou speeding
Up the mountain's rough ascent?
Filled with the eternal God-head
Glowing with the Spirit's flame!
Love it is that bears thee forward,
And supports thy tender frame.
Lo ! thine aged cousin claims thee
Claims thy sympathy and care;
God her shame from her hath taken;
He hath heard her fervent prayer.
Blessed Mother! joyful meeting!
Thou in her, the hand of God,
She in thee, with lips inspired
Owns the “Mother of her Lord.”
~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)
Whither thus in holy rapture
Princely Maiden art thou bent?
Why so fleetly art thou speeding
Up the mountain's rough ascent?
Filled with the eternal God-head
Glowing with the Spirit's flame!
Love it is that bears thee forward,
And supports thy tender frame.
Lo ! thine aged cousin claims thee
Claims thy sympathy and care;
God her shame from her hath taken;
He hath heard her fervent prayer.
Blessed Mother! joyful meeting!
Thou in her, the hand of God,
She in thee, with lips inspired
Owns the “Mother of her Lord.”
~ The Rev. Mark J. Smith, S.J., The Rosary Devotions: A Thought for Every Day in October (circa 1924)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 12th
What Are The Angels Doing?
Millions and millions of Angels fill the Heavens, ministering unto God, but millions and millions of Angels are also here on Earth, ministering unto us. They are in our midst, around us, about us, everywhere.
Their activity in our regard is unceasing every day and every moment of the day, though we do not see them nor even suspect their presence nor feel their influence. They are watching over us with infinite care and love.
~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)
October 12th
What Are The Angels Doing?
Millions and millions of Angels fill the Heavens, ministering unto God, but millions and millions of Angels are also here on Earth, ministering unto us. They are in our midst, around us, about us, everywhere.
Their activity in our regard is unceasing every day and every moment of the day, though we do not see them nor even suspect their presence nor feel their influence. They are watching over us with infinite care and love.
~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)
Forwarded from Defende nos in prœlio
PRAYER to ONE’s GUARDIAN ANGEL
O MOST holy Angel of God, appointed by God to be my guardian, I give thee thanks for all the benefits which thou hast ever bestowed on me in body and soul. I praise and glorify thee that thou condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assaults of my enemy. Blessed be the hour in which thou wert assigned me for my guardian, my defender, and my patron. In acknowledgment and return for all thy loving ministries to me, I offer thee the infinitely precious and noble Heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey thee henceforward, and most faithfully to serve my God.
Amen
~ St. Gertrude
O MOST holy Angel of God, appointed by God to be my guardian, I give thee thanks for all the benefits which thou hast ever bestowed on me in body and soul. I praise and glorify thee that thou condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assaults of my enemy. Blessed be the hour in which thou wert assigned me for my guardian, my defender, and my patron. In acknowledgment and return for all thy loving ministries to me, I offer thee the infinitely precious and noble Heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey thee henceforward, and most faithfully to serve my God.
Amen
~ St. Gertrude
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 12th
Voice of the Church
The Feast of the Guardian Angels holds the rank of a double of the first class and is observed on October 2. It was extended to the whole Western Church by Pope Clement X, who also approved the traditional devotion to the guardian angels.
The Mass of the Holy Angels is replete with references to their kind ministry in favor of mankind.
(continued)
October 12th
Voice of the Church
The Feast of the Guardian Angels holds the rank of a double of the first class and is observed on October 2. It was extended to the whole Western Church by Pope Clement X, who also approved the traditional devotion to the guardian angels.
The Mass of the Holy Angels is replete with references to their kind ministry in favor of mankind.
(continued)
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The Month of the Holy Angels
October 12th
The Collect extols the "unspeakable providence” of God, who has been pleased to send His angels to guard us, and requests "that we may ever be defended through their protection, and enjoy their companionship forevermore.”
The Epistle for the feast is taken from the twenty-third chapter of the Book of Exodus. Although referring primarily to the guardian angel of the people of Israel, it is equally applicable to each and every guardian of times past, present, and future: "Thus saith the Lord God: 'See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. My angel will go before you.’ “
In the Gradual are found the inspired words of the Psalmist, which have lost none of their beauty and significance through being quoted in part by Satan at the temptation of Christ in the desert. "God hath given His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Alleluia, alleluia. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts: you ministers of His who do His will. Alleluia.” (Ps. 90:11-12; 102:21.)
The Gospel for the feast contains the staunch and unassailable proof of the existence of guardian angels found in St. Matthew — it relates in full the incident that led our Lord to declare that the guardian angels always behold the face of the Father in heaven (Matt. 18:1-10).
The Secret and the Postcommunion express our confident hope that we may, by the aid of our guardian angels, be delivered from present dangers and the snares of the enemy, be strengthened against every peril, and finally receive the inheritence of eternal life.
~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 12th
The Collect extols the "unspeakable providence” of God, who has been pleased to send His angels to guard us, and requests "that we may ever be defended through their protection, and enjoy their companionship forevermore.”
The Epistle for the feast is taken from the twenty-third chapter of the Book of Exodus. Although referring primarily to the guardian angel of the people of Israel, it is equally applicable to each and every guardian of times past, present, and future: "Thus saith the Lord God: 'See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. My angel will go before you.’ “
In the Gradual are found the inspired words of the Psalmist, which have lost none of their beauty and significance through being quoted in part by Satan at the temptation of Christ in the desert. "God hath given His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Alleluia, alleluia. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts: you ministers of His who do His will. Alleluia.” (Ps. 90:11-12; 102:21.)
The Gospel for the feast contains the staunch and unassailable proof of the existence of guardian angels found in St. Matthew — it relates in full the incident that led our Lord to declare that the guardian angels always behold the face of the Father in heaven (Matt. 18:1-10).
The Secret and the Postcommunion express our confident hope that we may, by the aid of our guardian angels, be delivered from present dangers and the snares of the enemy, be strengthened against every peril, and finally receive the inheritence of eternal life.
~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)
MARIA MAGNIFICATA
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The Month of the Holy Rosary
October 13th
13th Day.— Mary's time of Expectancy
Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (St. Matt. i. 20.)
1. In due course of time it became evident that Mary was to be a mother. She had said not a word to St. Joseph about the Angel's visit, and her holy Spouse knew not what to think. Yet she was still silent. She left it to God to vindicate her in His own good time. How different her conduct from my eagerness to justify myself!
(continued)
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The Month of the Holy Rosary
October 13th
13th Day.— Mary's time of Expectancy
Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (St. Matt. i. 20.)
1. In due course of time it became evident that Mary was to be a mother. She had said not a word to St. Joseph about the Angel's visit, and her holy Spouse knew not what to think. Yet she was still silent. She left it to God to vindicate her in His own good time. How different her conduct from my eagerness to justify myself!
(continued)
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13th Day.— Mary's time of Expectancy
2. St. Joseph, like a faithful and prudent man, did not act without due deliberation. How miserable he must have been during those weeks of hesitation; he could not suspect Mary of evil. Yet there was the clear evidence of fact. The true solution was one no one could have supposed possible. He meditated to send her away quietly — what an agony to lose his precious Spouse! Yet patiently and prudently he waited and prayed.
3. God does not forsake His servants in their distress. An Angel by night announced to Joseph that he was the Spouse of the Mother of God — the foster-father of the King of Heaven. What joy must have inundated his soul! how hemust have cried out in the joy and gratitude of his heart: The Lord is indeed good to those who hope in Him!
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
13th Day.— Mary's time of Expectancy
2. St. Joseph, like a faithful and prudent man, did not act without due deliberation. How miserable he must have been during those weeks of hesitation; he could not suspect Mary of evil. Yet there was the clear evidence of fact. The true solution was one no one could have supposed possible. He meditated to send her away quietly — what an agony to lose his precious Spouse! Yet patiently and prudently he waited and prayed.
3. God does not forsake His servants in their distress. An Angel by night announced to Joseph that he was the Spouse of the Mother of God — the foster-father of the King of Heaven. What joy must have inundated his soul! how hemust have cried out in the joy and gratitude of his heart: The Lord is indeed good to those who hope in Him!
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 13th
Were it not for their ever-vigilant protection, the history of the world would be far different, far more calamitous than it has been.
The life too, of each of us, had we not a mighty Angel guarding us, would be sad in the extreme. What the life of a little child would be if abandoned, forsaken, without mother, father, or friend, such would be in great part our lot had not God in his mercy given us our holy Angel.
~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)
October 13th
Were it not for their ever-vigilant protection, the history of the world would be far different, far more calamitous than it has been.
The life too, of each of us, had we not a mighty Angel guarding us, would be sad in the extreme. What the life of a little child would be if abandoned, forsaken, without mother, father, or friend, such would be in great part our lot had not God in his mercy given us our holy Angel.
~ Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P., All About the Angels (1945)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 13th
Other Prayers
Holy Mother Church does not limit her invocation of the angels to a feast day in autumn. In the Prayer that comes at the close of the Asperges she asks almighty God to "vouchsafe to send Thy holy angel from heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all those that are assembled together in this house.”
(continued)
October 13th
Other Prayers
Holy Mother Church does not limit her invocation of the angels to a feast day in autumn. In the Prayer that comes at the close of the Asperges she asks almighty God to "vouchsafe to send Thy holy angel from heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all those that are assembled together in this house.”
(continued)
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The Month of the Holy Angels
October 13th
Again, in the Office of Compline, the liturgical evening prayer, the Church invokes the help of the heavenly spirits. Brief but eloquent, the Prayer at the close of Compline reads: "Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace, and let Thy blessing be always upon us.”
Likewise, the Church has enriched the following prayer with an indulgence of three hundred days (and a plenary indulgence once a month, under the usual conditions):
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here;
Ever this day be at my side
To light, to guard, to rule, and guide.
~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)
The Month of the Holy Angels
October 13th
Again, in the Office of Compline, the liturgical evening prayer, the Church invokes the help of the heavenly spirits. Brief but eloquent, the Prayer at the close of Compline reads: "Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace, and let Thy blessing be always upon us.”
Likewise, the Church has enriched the following prayer with an indulgence of three hundred days (and a plenary indulgence once a month, under the usual conditions):
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here;
Ever this day be at my side
To light, to guard, to rule, and guide.
~ Wedge, Florence. Guardian Angels (1955)