Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

[public domain]
Guardian Angel, 18th Centuty

A Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angels

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.

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

[public domain]
The Three Archangels, by Marco d’Oggiono, 16th Century

Prayer to St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, Archangels

Heavenly King, You have given us archangels
to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth.

Saint Michael is our protector;
I ask him to come to my aid,
fight for all my loved ones,
and protect us from danger.

Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News;
I ask him to help me
clearly hear Your voice
and to teach me the truth.

Saint Raphael is the healing angel;
I ask him to take my need for healing
and that of everyone I know,
lift it up to Your throne of grace
and deliver back to us the gift of recovery.

Help us, O Lord,
to realize more fully the reality of the archangels
and their desire to serve us.

Holy angels, pray for us.

Amen.

Mother of Compassion

[public domain]
The Virgin in Prayer, by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, 1640-1650

Mother of Compassion 

O Holy Virgin, in the midst of all your glory,
we ask you not to forget the sorrows of this world.
Cast a look of pity upon all who
struggle against life’s difficulties,
and who cease not to feel all its bitterness.
Have pity on all who have been separated
from those they love.
Have pity on the lonely and friendless.
Pardon the weakness of our faith.
Have pity on those whom we love.
O Holy Mother, show a mother’s compassion
toward the sorrowful
and those who tremble under life’s afflictions.
Give them hope and peace.
Amen.