Consider first, that this day is set aside by the church to glorify God, and to give Him thanks, through Jesus Christ His Son, for that inestimable benefit of His divine goodness, by which He has appointed His heavenly spirits to attend on us, and to guard us, during this pilgrimage of our mortality, till they bring us home to Himself, and to a happy eternity. Give ear to the word of God on this subject, "There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling. For He hath given His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways: In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone (Ps. xc.)." Take heed 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 ( St. Matt, xviii. ). Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation (Heb. 1.)? "Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice (Exodus xxiii.)."

Yes, children, let us attend to these our heavenly guardians, who are ever inviting us to the love and service of our God, and inspiring us with pious thoughts to this effect; and with their assistance we shall defeat all our enemies, and make our way safely to our eternal country, in spite of all the opposition of hell: according to that of Exod. xxiii. 11. "If thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee: and my angel shall go before thee, and shall bring thee in to the promised land, the figure of the heavenly Canaan."

Consider secondly, with St. Bernard, (writing on those words, He hath given His angels charge over thee) the wonders of God's bounty and love for us, expressed in this commission given to His angels. 'For who is it that has given this charge? To whom? Of whom? And what is the charge He has given? O let us think well of this grand commission: let us lay it up diligently in our memory. Who has given this charge? Whose angels are they? Whose will do they obey? He has given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways: to bear thee up in their hands. It is then the sovereign Majesty has given a charge to angels: yea to His own angels He has given a charge: to these sublime spirits, so happy, so nearly adhering to Himself, and to His own domestics, He has given a charge of thee. And who art thou? What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou makest any account of him? As if man were not rottenness, and the son of man a worm. And what is this commission He has given His angels, concerning thee? Even to be thy guardians. O wonderful condescension! O truly great affection of charity!'

Consider Thirdly, with the same Saint, 'What reverence, what devotion, what confidence, this saying, that God has given His angels a charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways, ought to inspire thee with: a reverence for their presence; a devotion for their benevolence; a confidence for their guardianship. Walk cautiously, as having the angels always in thy company; who, according to their commission, are with thee in all thy ways. In every place, in every corner, have respect to thy angel. Never dare to do that in his presence, which thou wouldst not dare to do before me. In God then my brethren, let us affectionately love His angels, that are to be one day joint heirs with us, but in the mean time are appointed by our Father, and set over us, as tutors and governors. What have we to fear under such guardians as these They can neither be overcome, nor deceived, who keep us in all our ways; much less can they deceive us. They are faithful, they are wise, they are powerful; what are we afraid of? Let us only follow them, let us stick close to them , and we shall abide under the protection of the God of heaven.'

Conclude to follow in practice these prescriptions of this great Saint: and, as he adds in the same discourse, when at any time we perceive a temptation arising, or we are threatened with any grievous tribulation, let us call upon these our heavenly keepers, our guides, our helpers in due time, in distress, and we shall experience a powerful assistance from them, superior to all the power of earth and hell.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Holy angels of God:
Be with us always.

In all our journeys,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our studies,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our meditations,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our labors,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our pleasures,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our temptations,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our troubles,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our sufferings,
Holy angels, be with us.

In all our good deeds,
Holy angels, be with us.

In the hour of danger,
Holy angels, be with us.

In the hour of trial,
Holy angels, be with us.

In the hour of death,
Holy angels, be with us.

O almighty and eternal God, send Thy holy angels to guard and protect us, and grant that we may see them in heaven. Amen.

O most faithful companion, whom God has appointed to watch over me, my guide and my protector, ever at my side. What thanks can I offer thee for thy love, thy constancy, and thy innumerable benefits? Thou watchest over me in sleep; thou consolest me in sorrow; thou raisest me when I fall; thou wardest off danger; thou preparest me for the future; thou withdrawest me from sin; thou urgest me to good; and movest me to do penance, and reconcilest me with my God. Already, perhaps, I should have been thrust into hell, unless thou by thy prayers hadst averted from me the dreadful wrath of God. Desert me not, then, I beseech thee: encourage me in adversity; restrain me in prosperity; protect me in dangers; and assist me in temptations, lest at any time I yield to them. Offer to the Divine Majesty all my prayers and sighs and works, and obtain for me the grace to die in the friendship of God, and so to enter into life eternal. Amen.

O holy Angel, who art appointed by the divine goodness to be my guardian, to conduct my blindness, teach mine ignorance, strengthen my weakness, and to excite my slothfulness; I heartily praise our common Lord for so singular a benefit, and I thank thee for the many good offices which thou hast done me:--for defending me amidst so many dangers to both soul and body, and especially for withholding me from sin when I was hastening to mine own destruction. Continue, I beseech thee, the same care on my behalf. Offer up to God all my good desires; offer to Him my hopes and my sighs. Make known to Him all my wants. Do thou watch over me while I sleep; strengthen me when I faint; and enlighten my blindness. Shield me from the enemies who persecute me; and, at the hour of my death, intercede for me and bring my soul to the happy haven of everlasting salvation. Amen.

Angel of God, My Guardian Dear to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day (night) be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

The Angel: My dear little child, I come from heaven. The good God sent me to guard you. I shall be with you always, I shall watch over you, and I shall show you the right path. Would you like that?

The Child: O my dear Angel, I wish to be thy friend. Remain by me to watch over me. Tell me what I am to do to please thee. I will listen to thy wise counsels. I will follow thee everywhere, for I know that thou lovest me. Never leave me, dear Angel.

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