OCTOBER 2.
THIS feast was instituted : 1. To thank God that to each one of us He has given a particular guardian angel to conduct him unharmed through the dangers of this world. 2. To in spire us with gratitude to the angels who do us such great good, and to incite us to efforts to render ourselves worthy of their guardianship.
What is the office of a guardian angel?
To guard men against dangers of soul and body. The Psalmist says : He hath given His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways ; in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Ps. xc. 11); that is, that thou mayest neither fall into sin nor misfortune. " Oh, what great regard for us," hereupon exclaims St. Bernard, "what wonderful love! Who is it that has given charge? God. To whom has He given charge? The angels, those noble spirits, His own household. What charge has He given them? To guard and defend us, poor men. 4 O Lord, what is man, that Thou art mindful of him ?" St. Paul calls the angels "ministering spirits" sent to minister to them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation (Heb. i. 14). In innumerable other places in the Bible they are represented as friends of children, guides of youth, defenders of innocence, promoters of good deeds, monitors against evil, guardians of the pious, protectors against misfortune, comforters in need, deliverers in danger, helpers in combat, companions of the souls in everlasting joy.
What should we do every day, but particularly this day? We should thank God for having given us guardians so holy and powerful, and our guardian angel himself for the help he has rendered us; should think of and call upon him often, especially in the hour of temptation ; finally, we should promise fidelity and obedience to his admonitions. Whatever in this regard is at any time binding upon us should especially be done to-day.
Prayer.
O God, Who by an unspeakable providence dost vouchsafe to send Thy angels to guard us, grant to Thy suppliants to be ever defended by their protection, and to rejoice eternally in their society. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Exodus xxiii. 20-23.
Thus saith the Lord : 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, and do not think him one to be contemned ; for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and My name is in him. But 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.
Gospel, Matt, xviii. 1-10. (See Feast of St. Michael, Sept. 29, page 436.)
Prayer to the Guardian Angel.
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.
(100 days indulgence each time.)
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