Posted on 10/02/2002 5:50:57 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
Early Christian Representations of Angels
Angels were seldom represented in Christian art before Constantine. The oldest fresco in which an angel appears is the Annunciation scene (second century) of the cemetery of St. Priscilla. A third-century painting of the same subject was discovered by Wilpert in the cemetery of Sts. Peter and Marcellinus; in both representations the Archangel Gabriel is depicted in human form, robed in tunic and pallium. The "Good Angel" (angelus bonus) of the fourth-century syncretistic fresco representing the judgment of Vibia is also depicted in human form, dressed as a sacred personage. The winged angel, for which abundant scriptural references could be adduced, does not appear in pre-Constantinian Christian art, for the reason, probably, that such figures might too readily recall certain favourite subjects of classic art. Another fact worthy of note in this regard is that angels in this first period of Christian art are never represented unless historically necessary, as in the Annunciation scene referred to -- and not always even then. In a third-century fresco of the Hebrew children in the furnace, for instance, in the cemetery of St. Priscilla, a dove takes the place of the angel, while a fourth-century representation of the same subject, in the coemeterium majus, substitutes the hand of God for the heavenly messenger.
From the reign of Constantine a new type of angel, with wings, appears in Christian art. The four angels with spears on the ciborium of the Lateran Basilica (Lib. Pont., I, 172) were probably of this order. This innovation was evidently suggested by the "Victories", and similar figures of classic art; but the danger of idolatrous suggestion in such figures was now remote, and historic art, which gradually replaced symbolic, demanded angels with wings. Certain Gnostic sculptures seem to mark the transition from the classic Victory to the winged angel (Cabrol, Dict. d'Arch. Chret., col. 2116 sqq). The oldest existing examples of winged angels are seen in some bas-reliefs of Carthage and a representation on ivory of St. Michael, both attributed to the fourth century. The latter, part of a diptych in the British Museum, shows the Archangel Michael standing on the upper steps of an architectonically adorned doorway, with a staff in one hand and a globe surmounted by a cross in the other. The figure is admirably executed.
A second development in the artistic conception of angels is marked in the Annunciation scene (fifth century) depicted on the triumphal arch of St. Mary Major's. Unlike the same subject in the catacombs, the Angel Gabriel is soaring through the air towards Mary, who is seated in the midst of attendant winged angels. From the fifth century angels became a favourite subject in Christian art, no longer merely as figures demanded to complete a historical scene, but very often as attendants on Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. The mosaic of St. Mary Major's mentioned above, as well as two mosaics of St. Apollinare Nuovo and St. Vitale (sixth century), Ravenna, are examples of angels in this character. The Archangels Michael and Gabriel dressed in the military chlamys and bearing military standards inscribed with the word Agios (holy) are represented in mosaics at St. Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna. The Hierarchia coelestis of pseudo-Dionysius exercised an important influence on the artistic conception of angels from the sixth century. Prior to that time, it is true, a distinction was made between different categories of the angelic host, but now the relations of angels to God were represented in the East after the manner of the various grades of court functionaries rendering their homage to the Emperor.
Cults of Angels
Early Christian literature, like early Christian art, contains few references to angels. This fact is easily accounted for by the circumstances of the time, for with the popular belief in a multitude of deities it was necessary to lay particular emphasis on the unity of God. An official cult in honour of the angels in the first centuries of Christianity would have made imminent the danger of their being regarded as inferior divinities. Witness the vagaries of Gnosticism. Still, there is sufficient evidence to show that the relations of angels to God were not excluded from Christian teaching. Justin Martyr (Apol., I, vi) states that the "host of Good angels" was held in the greatest veneration, and his contemporary, Athenagoras, refers to the duties of angels "whom God appointed to their several posts, to occupy themselves about the elements, and the heavens, and the world" (Legatio, x). In the fourth century we find Eusebius of Caesarea distinguishing accurately between the cult rendered to angels and the worship paid to God (Demonstratio evang., III, 3), and St. Ambrose recommended prayers to them. From the fifth century, churches were frequently dedicated to the angels; Umbria was especially noted in this respect, and in the East churches erected in honour of St. Michael were numerous. In the most ancient litanies the Archangels Michael and Gabriel are invoked after the persons of the Trinity and immediately before the Blessed Virgin.
MAURICE M. HASSETT Transcribed by Jim Holden
From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright © 1913 by the Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright © 1996 by New Advent, Inc., P.O. Box 281096, Denver, Colorado, USA, 80228. (knight@knight.org) Taken from the New Advent Web Page (www.knight.org/advent).
This article is part of the Catholic Encyclopedia Project, an effort aimed at placing the entire Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 edition on the World Wide Web. The coordinator is Kevin Knight, editor of the New Advent Catholic Website. If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile project, you can contact him by e- mail at (knight.org/advent). For more information please download the file cathen.txt/.zip.
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Nocturnal First Aid
This story occurred during the Great Depression in the early 1930's in Chicago.It was told to me by a priest,Dr.Brown's brother.
In the wee hours of the morning Dr. Brown was jarred from sleep by the insistent ringing of the phone. He remembers groggily groping for the receiver; a husky, strained voice implored: "Is this Dr.Brown?"
"Yes, I am he."
"Could you come quickly? It's urgent, a matter of life and death!"
"Yes, I'll come.WHere do you live?"
"Seventeen Alan Street, please, come quickly."
Dr.Brown dressed quickly, got his things together and was soon headed off to Alan Street; how lonely it was traveling alone through the dark streets at night. The neighborhood towards which he drove was on the "far side of the tracks",where even during the day one might not feel too comfortable walking around.
Dr. Brown found the house easily enough, a single residence; only it was peculiar that no lights were on. He went to the door and knocked; after a pause, he knocked again. Still there was no answer. His third knock, however, elicited a fruff response, "Who's there?"
"It's Dr.Brown. I received an urgent call for medical help. Is this seventeen Alan Street?"
"Yes, it is, but nobody called you, get out of here!"
As he withdrew, he scanned the street searchingly for lights that might indicate where his help was really needed. Seeing none, he reproached himself again, thinking he had failed to jot down the right street number. Or perhaps, it was just a bad prank.In any case, there was nothing he could do but return home. And as there was no follow up phone call, he simply forgot the matter in the days that ensued.
Several weeks later, though, he received another call during the day from the emergency ward at the hospital. The nurse explained that a man, a certain John Turner, who had just suffered a severe accident and was clearly dying, was begging to speak with Dr.Robert Brown. "Doctor, could you come by quickly? He doesn't have much time. He will not tell us why he needs to speak to you."
Dr. Brown agreed to go, yet he was rather puzzled, for he knew no one by the name of John Turner. This conviction was verified by the patient, who said:"Dr.Brown, you don't know me, but I just had to speak with you before I die and beg your forgiveness. You will recall having received a telephone call several weeks ago in the dead of night."
"Yes,I remember the call, but..."
"It was I who called you." The dying man explained: "I had no work for months and months. I had sold everything of value in the house, and still could not feed my family. I could not bear the imploring, hungry looks in my children's eyes. In my desperation, I resolved to call a doctor for help in the middle of the night. My plan was to kill him, take his money and sell his instruments."
Though horrified, Dr.Brown could not help but protest:"Yes, but I came, why didn't you kill me?"
"I was expecting that you would come alone, but when I saw that big,powerful young man at your side I was afraid; and so I just sent you off gruffly. Please forgive me."
"Yes, of course,"Muttered Dr.Brown in a daze.
A cold chill had come over him; he had had no inkling that what had seemed to him like an irksome error or even a bad prank had been really such a close call with death. And even less had he suspected that his Guardian Angel(to whom he ever after attributed this intervention)had saved his life that night; for indeed, the "powerful young man"had appeared only to his would be assailant, who now dying, was imploring his forgiveness.
How awesome are the ways of God. How often our Angels preserve us from harm without our ever adverting to the fact.
AN EVIL VISITOR
Lou and his young wife, Edith, lived on a small farm in upper Michigan, the last mail box on the lane. It was a lonely, tough life out on the farm, but the newly married couple was happy as they had one another and their daily bread. One morning in early summer after Lou had gone out to the field to mow hay, a stranger came riding into the farm yard. He hitched up his horse at the post, as was fitting, but failed to come straight to the house. Rather he first checked out the barn, checked out the shed and rather reconnoitered all around, before he addressed his steps towards the house.
Edith had taken all of this in from the window with growing anxiety. By the time the knock sounded on the door she was terrified. Initially, she thought not to answer the door,but realizing he might break the door down, she went and opened it partially and asked fearfully, "Yes,what do you want?"
The stranger, peering at her, asked in a toneless voice, "Are you alone?"
Edith wanted anything but to be alone with this surly chap. In her fright she blurted out, "NO! My husband's in the attic!" And to add rhetorical force to her contention, she turned and called out: "Hey Lou!"
A voice,that of her husband,responded immediately: "Yea, what is it? I'll be right down!"
That the stranger's intentions were less than honorable could be read both by the expression his face and the fact he backed down the steps, jumped on his horse and high tailed it out there!
Edith too was completely taken aback;she had thought that Lou was out in the field mowing hay. She hastened up to the attic to see what Lous was doing there,but there was no one there!
Once,when narrating this story at a day of recollection, I asked the crowd, "Whose Guardian Angel do you think that was, Edith's or Lou's?" A young lady responded wonderfully, saying "I'd like to think it was the rider's Guardina Angel, keepng him out of trouble!"
(Told by the woman's daughter, mother of a priest acquaintance;Michigan, early 20th century.
To find more information on Opus Sanctorum Angelorum(Work of the Holy Angels),go to:
BTTT on 10-02-04
Memorial of the Guardian Angels.
Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Saint of the Day Ping List.
Thanks for the Angel PING...do you know the words to the Guardian Angel Prayer and the prayer to St. Michael?
Thank you for the ping. Beautiful, just Beautiful...
THE PING!Memorial of the Guardian Angels.
BTTT on the Memorial of the Guardian Angels, 10-02-06!
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day (night) be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
Dear Angel,
in His goodness God gave you to me
to guide, protect, and enlighten me, and
to bring me back to the right way when I go astray.
Encourage me when I am disheartened, and
instruct me when I err in my judgment,
Help me
to become more Christlike,
and so some day to be accepted
into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven.
Amen.
O most holy Angel of God,
appointed by God to my Guardian,
I give you thanks for all the benefits
which you have ever bestowed on me in body and soul.
I praise and glorify you that you 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 were assigned me for my Guardian,
my defender and my patron.
In acknowledgment and return for all your loving ministries to me,
I offer you the infinitely precious and noble Heart of Jesus,
and firmly purpose to obey you from now on,
and most faithfully to serve my God.
Amen
Angel sent by God to guide me;
Be my light and walk beside me;
Be my guardian and protect me;
On the paths of life direct me.
Guardian Angel
Pure and bright
guide me safely
by day and night,
Send wisdom
for my life and
Give me patience,
through my strife.
Angel sent by God to guide me,
be my light and walk beside me;
be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.
Guardian Angel,
of those whose names you can read in my heart,
watch over them with every care;
make their way easy and their labours fruitful;
dry their tears, if they weep;
raise their courage, if they weaken;
restore their hope, if they lose heart,
restore their health, if they be ill,
restore truth, if they err,
restore repentence, if they fall.
sanctify their joys.
Amen.
O Holy Angel at my side, go to church for me,
Kneel in my place at Holy Mass, where I desire to be.
At Offertory, in my stead, take all I am and own,
And place it as a sacrifice, upon the altar throne.
At holy consecration’s bell, adore with Seraph’s love,
My Jesus hidden in the Host, come down from heaven above.
Then pray for those I dearly love, and those who cause me grief,
That Jesus’ blood will cleanse all hearts, and suffering souls relieve.
And when the priest Communion takes, oh bring my Lord to me,
That His sweet Heart may rest on mine, and I His temple be.
Pray that this Sacrifice Divine, may mankind’s sins efface,
Then bring me Jesus’ blessing home, the pledge of every grace.
O pure and happy spirits whom the Almighty selected to become the Angels and Guardians of men, I most humbly prostrate myself before thee to thank thee for the charity and zeal with which thou dost execute this commission. Alas, how many pass a long life without ever thanking their invisible friends, to whom they owe a thousand times their preservation!
O charitable Guardians of those souls for whom Christ died, O flaming spirits who cannot avoid loving those whom Jesus eternally loves, permit me to address thee on behalf of all those committed to thy care, to implore for each of them a grateful sense of thy many favors and also the grace to profit by thy charitable assistance.
O Angels of those happy infants who as yet are "without spot before God," I earnestly beseech thee to preserve their innocence.
O Angels of youth, conduct them, exposed to so many dangers, safely to the bosom of God, as Tobias was conducted back to his father.
O Angels of those who employ themselves in the instruction of youth, animate them with thy zeal and love, teach them to emulate thy purity and continual view of God, that they may worthily and successfully co-operate with the invisible Guardians of their young charges.
O Angels of the clergy, of those "who have the eternal Gospel to preach to them that sit upon the earth," present their words, their actions and their intentions to God and purify them in that fire of love which consumes thee.
O Angels of the missionaries who have left their native land and all who were dear to them in order to preach the Gospel in foreign fields, protect them from the dangers which threaten them, console in their hours of discouragement and solitude, and lead them to those souls who are in danger of dying without Baptism.
O Angels of infidels and pagans, whom the True Faith has never enlightened, intercede for them, that they may open their hearts to the rays of grace, respond to the message delivered by God's missioners and acknowledge and adore the one true God.
O Angels of all who travel by air, land or water, be their guides and companions, protect them from all dangers of collision, fire, and explosion and lead them safely to their destination.
O Guardian Angels of sinners, charitable guides of those unhappy mortals whose perseverance in sin would embitter even thine unutterable joys, wert thou not established in the peace of God! Oh join me, I ardently beseech thee, in imploring their conversion!
And thou, O Guardian Angels of the sick, I entreat thee especially to help, console and implore the spirits of joy for all those who are deprived of health, which is among God's most precious gifts to man. Intercede for them, that they may not succumb to despondency or lose by impatience the merits they can gain in carrying with resignation and joy the cross which Christ has laid upon them as a special token of His love.
O Angels of those are at this moment in the agonies of death, strengthen, encourage and defend them against the attacks of their infernal enemy.
O faithful Guides, holy spirits, adorers of the Divinity, Guardian Angels of all creatures, protect us all; teach us to love, to pray, to wage combat on earth, so that one day we may reach Heaven and there be happy for all eternity! Amen.
O Angels of those who are lingering in Purgatory, intercede for them that God may permit thee to bring them some balm; console them that they may know that we are praying for them and that we ask thee to join in our entreaties.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory.
Kneeling
before Thy majesty,
we thank Thee, O God,
that Thou hast given to each of us
a heavenly companion to be at our side,
one who leads us according to Thy will,
directs us in Thy paths and manifests to us Thy love.
We resolve
here in Thy presence
to love our holy companion as a brother
and to obey him when he speaks to us
through the voice of conscience.
He will surely lead us
to heaven.
Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
take my hand and place it in the hand of my Guardian Angel
and make the sign of our Redemption over it.
Thy blessing, for our salvation.
In the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Holy Guardian Angel,
who has been given to me from the beginning of my life
as my Guardian and Companion.
I, a poor sinner, desire to consecrate myself to you
before my Lord and God,
my heavenly Mother Mary
and all the angels and saints,
I wish to take your hand and never let it go!
In your hand,
I promise to be always loyal and obedient
to my Lord and God and to our holy Mother the Church.
In Your hand,
I promise always to acknowledge Mary
as my Mistress, Queen and Mother,
and to imitate Her way of life.
In Your hand,
I also promise to acknowledge you, my holy Guardian,
and to promote, as much as lies in my power,
the veneration of the holy angels
as the protection and the help which is given to us
in a very special way in these days of spiritual combat
for the kingdom of God.
I beg you,
holy angel of God, obtain for me
a love so strong that I may be inflamed by it,
a faith so firm that I may never falter.
I beg you
to assist me against the enemy's assaults.
I beg you
for the grace of Mary's humility
so that I may escape all dangers and,
guided by you, reach the gates
of our heavenly home.
Amen.
I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, Your infinite love for us has chosen a blessed angel in heaven and appointed him our guide during this earthly pilgrimage. Accept our thanks for so great a blessing. Grant that we may experience the assistance of our holy protector in all our necessities. And you, holy, loving angel and guide, watch over us with all the tenderness of your angelic heart. Keep us always on the way that leads to heaven, and cease not to pray for us until we have attained our final destiny, eternal salvation. Then we shall love you for all eternity. We shall praise and glorify you unceasingly for all the good you have done for us while here on earth. Especially be a faithful and watchful protector of our children. Take our place, and supply what may be wanting to us through human frailty, short-sightedness, or sinful neglect. Lighten, O you perfect servants of God, our heavy task. Guide our children, that they may become like unto Jesus, may imitate Him faithfully, and persevere till they attain eternal life.
Amen.
Holy Angel, my counselor, inspire me; Holy Angel, my defender, protect me;
Holy Angel, my faithful friend; intercede for me;
Holy Angel, my consoler, fortify me; Holy Angel, my brother, defend me;
Holy Angel, my teacher, instruct me;
Holy Angel, witness of all my actions, purify me;
Holy Angel, my helper, support me;
Holy Angel, my intercessor, speak for me;
Holy Angel, my guide, direct me; Holy Angel, my light, enlighten me;
Holy Angel, whom God has assigned to lead me, govern me.
Dear Angel at my side, my good and loyal friend, you have been with me since the moment I was born. You are my own personal guardian, given me by God as my guide and protector, and you will stay with me till I die.
He who created you and me gave me to you as your particular charge. You assisted in great joy at my baptism, when I became part of the Mystical Body of Christ, and was made a member of the household of God and an heir of heaven. You saw the dangers that beset my path, and, if I sinned, it was in spite of you.
You envied me when Christ came to me in Holy Communion. Even though you probably were there among the angels that adored Him the night that He was born, you have not been able to receive Him as I can. O, help me to appreciate these gifts! Help me to realize, as you do, with every fiber of my being, that to serve Christ is to be a King! Help me steadfastly to avoid evil and do good and always guard my soul from sin.
Protect me as well from physical evils as I go about my daily work. You will be with me all my life, and at the hour of my death. Help me to face death bravely, patiently, with great love of God, knowing that it is only through death that I can come to Him in heaven! Then, come with me to my Judge, and when the hour of my salvation comes, take me home to my Father, God.
Amen.
O Angel of God, my blessed protector, to whose care I have been committed by my Creator from the moment of my birth, unite with me in thanking the Almighty for having given me a friend, and instructor, an advocate, and a guardian in thee.
Accept, O most charitable guide, my fervent thanksgiving for all thou hast done for me; particularly for the charity with which thou didst undertake to accompany me through life; for the joy with which thou wert filled when I was purified in the waters of Baptism; and for thy anxious solicitude in watching over the treasure of my innocence.
Thou knowest the numberless graces and favors which my Creator has bestowed on me through thee, and the many dangers, both spiritual and temporal from which thou hast preserved me. Thou knowest how often thou didst deplore my sins, animate me to repentance, and intercede with God for my pardon. Ah! why have I so little merited a continuance of thy zealous efforts for my salvation? Why have I so often stained my soul by sin, and thereby rendered myself unworthy of the presence and protection of an angel, of so pure a spirit as thou art, who never sinned? But as my ingratitude and thoughtlessness have not lessened thy charitable interest for my salvation, so neither shall they diminish my confidence in thy goodness, nor prevent me from abandoning myself to thy care, since God Himself has entrusted thee with the charge of my soul.
Penetrated with sorrow for the little progress I have made in virtue, though blessed with such a Master, and sincerely determined to correspond in future with thy exertions for my salvation, I most earnestly entreat thee, O protecting spirit, to continue thy zealous efforts for my eternal interest; to fortify my weakness, to shield me from innumerable dangers of the world and to obtain by thy powerful prayers that my life may rather be shortened, than that I should live to commit a mortal sin.
Remember, O most happy spirit, that it was one act of profound humility, and one transport of ardent love for thy Creator, that caused God to establish thee forever in glory; obtain that those virtues may be implanted in my soul, and that I may seriously endeavor to acquire docility, obedience, gentleness and purity of heart. Conduct me safely through this world of sin and misery; watch over me at the awful hour of my death; perform for my soul the last charitable office of thy mission, by strengthening, encouraging, and supporting me in the agonies of dissolution, and then, as the angel Raphael conducted Tobias safely to his father, do thou, my good angel and blessed guide, return with me to Him who sent thee, that we may mutually bless Him, and publish His wonderful works for a happy eternity.
Amen.
O Holy Angel, attendant of my
wretched soul and of mine afflicted
life, forsake me not, a sinner,
neither depart from me for mine
inconstancy.
Give no place to the evil demon to
subdue me with the oppression of
this mortal body; but take me by my
wretched and outstretched hand, and
lead me in the way of salvation.
Yea, O holy Angel of God, the
guardian and protector of my hapless
soul and body, forgive me all things
whatsoever wherewith I have
troubled thee, all the days of my
life, and if I have sinned in
anything this day.
Shelter me in this present night, and
keep me from every affront of the
enemy, lest I anger God by any sin;
and intercede with the Lord in my
behalf, that He might strengthen me
in the fear of Him, and make me a
worthy servant of His goodness.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who art my guardian, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, whom I revere as my superior, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost give me charitable counsel, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost give me wise direction, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost take the place of a tutor, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost love me tenderly, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who art my consoler, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who art attached to me as a good brother, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost instruct me in the duties
and truth of salvation, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who art to me a charitable shepherd, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who art witness of all my actions, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost help me in all my undertakings, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost continually watch over me, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost intercede for me, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost carry me in Thy hand, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost direct me in all my ways, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost defend me with zeal, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost conduct me with wisdom, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost guard me from all danger, Pray for me.
Angel of Heaven, who dost dissipate the darkness
and enlighten the mind, Pray for me.
V. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. Pray for us, O Guardian Angel,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V. Let us pray.
R. Almighty and eternal God, Who by an effect of Thine bounty hast given to each of the faithful an angel to be the guardian of body and soul, grant that I may have for him whom Thou hast given me in Thy mercy, so much respect and love that, protected by the gifts of Thy graces and by his help, I may merit to go to Thee in Heaven, there to contemplate Thee with him and the other happy spirits in the brightness of Thy glory.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy .
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my guardian
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my prince
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my monitor
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my counselor
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my defender
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my steward
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my friend
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my consoler
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my brother
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my teacher
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my shepherd
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my witness
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my helper
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my watcher
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my negotiator
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my intercessor
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my patron
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my ruler
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my protector
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my defender
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my leader
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my preserver
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my preacher
pray for us.
Holy Angel, my enlightener
pray for us.
Holy Angel, guard and keep us
pray for us.
From every sin
guard and preserve us!
From every danger
guard and preserve us!
From every snare of the devil
guard and preserve us!
From every enemy, visible and invisible
guard and preserve us!
From pestilence, hunger, and war
guard and preserve us!
From the works of darkness
guard and preserve us!
From sluggishness in the service of God
guard and preserve us!
From sadness and anxiety
guard and preserve us!
From hardness of heart
guard and preserve us!
From the unworthy reception
of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord
guard and preserve us!
From a sudden and unprovided death
guard and preserve us!
From the eternal death
guard and preserve us!
Lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God,
who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us,
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Hail, Mary! Full of grace,
The Lord is with thee;
Blessed are thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
V. He has commanded his Angles to watch over thee,
R. That they may guard thee in all thy ways.
V. Lord, hear my prayer,
R. Let my cry come before Thee.
Let us pray;
Almighty and eternal God,
who hast created me in Thy image,
though unworthy that I am,
and hast assigned Thy holy Angel as my guardian,
grant me, Thy servant,
that I may happily pass over the dangers of every evil,
both of body and soul,
and after the course of this life,
to come to eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen
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God calls each one of us to be a saint.
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October 2, 2006
Feast of the Guardian Angels
Perhaps no aspect of Catholic piety is as comforting to parents as the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers real and imagined. Yet guardian angels are not just for children. Their role is to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer and to present their souls to God at death.
The concept of an angel assigned to guide and nurture each human being is a development of Catholic doctrine and piety based on Scripture but not directly drawn from it. Jesus' words in Matthew 18:10 best support the belief: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." Devotion to the angels began to develop with the birth of the monastic tradition. St. Benedict gave it impetus and Bernard of Clairvaux, the great 12th-century reformer, was such an eloquent spokesman for the guardian angels that angelic devotion assumed its current form in his day. A feast in honor of the guardian angels was first observed in the 16th century. In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar. Quote:
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Guardian Angels
Memorial
October 2nd
Pietro da Cortona
The Guardian Angel, 1656
Oil on canvas, 225 x 143 cm
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome
Prayer:
Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide, Amen.Latin:
Angele DeiÁngele Dei,
qui custos es mei,
me, tibi commíssum pietáte supérna,
illúmina, custódi,
rege et gubérna.
Amen.
History:
That every individual soul has a guardian angel has never been defined by the Church, and is, consequently, not an article of faith; but it is the "mind of the Church", as St. Jerome expressed it: "how great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it."In the Bible this doctrine is clearly discernible and its development is well marked. In Genesis 28-29, angels not only act as the executors of God's wrath against the cities of the plain, but they deliver Lot from danger; in Exodus 12-13, an angel is the appointed leader of the host of Israel, and in 32:34, God says to Moses: "my angel shall go before thee." At a much later period we have the story of Tobias, which might serve for a commentary on the words of Psalm 90:11: "For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways." (Cf. Psalm 33:8 and 34:5.) Lastly, in Daniel 10 angels are entrusted with the care of particular districts; one is called "prince of the kingdom of the Persians", and Michael is termed "one of the chief princes"; cf. Deuteronomy 32:8; and Ecclesiasticus 17:17.
This sums up the Old Testament doctrine on the point; it is clear that the Old Testament conceived of God's angels as His ministers who carried out his behests, and who were at times given special commissions, regarding men and mundane affairs. There is no special teaching; the doctrine is rather taken for granted than expressly laid down; cf. 2 Machabees 3:25; 10:29; 11:6; 15:23.
But in the New Testament the doctrine is stated with greater precision. Angels are everywhere the intermediaries between God and man; and Christ set a seal upon the Old Testament teaching: "See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10). A twofold aspect of the doctrine is here put before us: even little children have guardian angels, and these same angels lose not the vision of God by the fact that they have a mission to fulfil on earth.
Without dwelling on the various passages in the New Testament where the doctrine of guardian angels is suggested, it may suffice to mention the angel who succoured Christ in the garden, and the angel who delivered St. Peter from prison. Hebrews 1:14 puts the doctrine in its clearest light: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?" This is the function of the guardian angels; they are to lead us, if we wish it, to the Kingdom of Heaven.
(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition )
Collect:
God our Father,
in your loving providence
you send your holy angels to watch over us.
Hear our prayers,
defend us always by their protection
and let us share your life with them for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.First Reading: Exodus 23: 20-23
"Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him.
"But if you hearken attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
"When my angel goes before you, and brings you in to the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I blot them out.Second Reading(places where it is a Solemnity): Revelation 12:7-12
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:1-5, 10
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Related Article: The Church and the Holy Angels(Michaelmas 2007 Issue)
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