Devotion to the Holy Angels

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish

 Table of Contents
Page Description
i INTRODUCTION
1 THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE HOLY ANGELS
1 Matins to Vespers
3 Compline
4 Commendation
5 Liturgical Prayers to the Angels
6 THE CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS
7 Introduction and Opening
7 Salutations
8 Closing Prayer
9 Trimmings
10 THE ANGELIC LITANIES
12 Litany of the Holy Angels
16 Principal Litany of St. Michael the Archangel
18 Second Litany of St. Michael the Archangel
20 Litany of St. Gabriel the Archangel
22 Litany of St. Raphael the Archangel
24 The Chaplet of St. Raphael the Archangel
26 Principal Litany to the Holy Angel-guardian
27 A Prayer to one’s Holy Angel-guardian
28 Second Litany to the Holy Angel-guardian
29 Night Prayer to your Guardian Angel
30 Third Litany to the Holy Angel-guardian
32 TREASURY OF PRAYERS TO THE HOLY ANGELS
32 Prayer to Our Lady Queen of Angels
32 PRAYERS TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
MARSHAL OF GOD'S HEAVENLY HOSTS
32 The Short Leonine Prayer to be used after Low Mass
32 The Original Prayer of Pope Leo XIII against the Devil
35 Prayer to St. Michael for Help against Spiritual Enemies
35 Short Invocation to St. Michael against the Powers of Darkness
35 Prayer to St. Michael for Courage and Strength
36 Prayer to St. Michael for Protection of the Church
36 PRAYERS TO ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL,
OUR LADY’S ANGEL
36 Collect from the Mass of St. Gabriel (to be used on his feastday)
37 Prayer to St. Gabriel for the Benefit of the Incarnation
 37 Prayer to St. Gabriel for Protection for those whom we Love
37 PRAYERS TO ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, MANKIND'S
HEALING ANGEL AND PROTECTOR OF TRAVELLERS
AND EMIGRANTS
37 Postcommunion from the Mass of St. Raphael the Archangel
38 A Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel for Healing
38 A Prayer to St. Raphael for Grace in the Journey of Life
38 PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL FOR ALL MEN
40 PRAYERS TO OUR HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS
40 Aspiration to one's Angel-guardian
40 Memorare to one's Guardian Angel
41 St. Gertrude the Great's Prayer of Offering
to one's Holy Guardian Angel
41 Petition to one's Guardian Angel for a Specific Request
42 Prayer of Thanksgiving to one's Guardian Angel
Caption: This painting depicts the separation of the saved
from the damned at the Last Judgement.
At the base, the damned are herded to the right (but it's the left
from the perspective of the figures) by angels. An angel-
marshal, likely St. Michael, stands at centre between the two
parties of souls. Behind him, an angel holding a rod drives the
damned to the sinister side. Demons torture the damni on the
sinister side as well. Above the souls, angels use trumpets to
blow the souls to one side or the other. Purgatory stands on the
dexter side (onlookers' left). Souls are being carried up from
there into Heaven (barely visible in the corner) by an
angel. Between the top of Heaven and the underland of souls
stands an angel bearing the Holy Cross. Christ appears in the
clouds above this Cross, our Lady taking her place at His right
side. They appear with seraphim in a mandorla (a rupture in
the fabric of being). Angels also stand under the just souls
who wait in Heaven. In all, seven angels stand in more
prominent places, and there are seven regions of Heaven.
 INTRODUCTION
The holy angels are those divine beings who were made by
God before mankind was created. They are spiritual beings
like God but are unlike Him in being limited in power,
knowledge and presence. They know things directly and not
mediately through objects. They do not reason in time as we
do and yet they process thought as if it had been reasoned.
God does not need the angels (or any thing or being) but He
finds it fitting that servants exist in His creation to execute His
divine will and to laud and adore His infinite Being. The
angels are divided into nine choirs: seraphim, cherubim,
thrones, dominions, powers, virtues, principalities, archangels
and simple angels (including our angels-guardian). The
seraphim are closest to God. They are depicted as having
three sets of wings so that they may use one set to shield their
eyes from His glory. The second set receives His will; the
third are used to transport them. The cherubim have two sets
of wings and are shielded by the seraphim. Seven angels
stand before the throne of God. They are called ‘Archangels’
in personal title but are regarded as members of the Choir of
Seraphim.

At the beginning of time, the angels, like men, were given a

choice either to submit to His perfect Being or not. The angel
thought to be greatest among them led a rebellion against God.
According to tradition, one third of the angels followed this
rebel. God assembled an angel army of the rest, who, by His
power, cast the rebels down into Hell, where they are now the
demons. St. Michael was the marshal of this army and is
called God’s special Prince of Angels.
There are various theories about why any angel, given his
divine knowledge, would rebel against his infinitely perfect
Creator. But, as God limited their knowledge when He made
them, it is possible that some chose not to believe that He is
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absolutely perfect. God could have professed His perfection
but could also have held back certitude of it in order to endow
the angels with the power to make a choice. That, after all, is
the same with mankind: each of us has the power to choose to
believe in God, to acknowledge His presence and goodness
and His limitless perfection. It is an act of the will, even if
God leads us by giving us imperfect faith as a gift. St.
Augustine comments on this: faith is indeed a gift and yet we
are endowed with a power to will more of it. As the centurion
said: I believe, O Lord, help my unbelief; that is, I choose to
believe what has been revealed to me by Thee but my resultant
faith is imperfect, so please increase it and even perfect it.
It is also thought that Satan and his legions rebelled out of
jealously when God revealed that He would create mankind, a
less able species, and then elevate man above the angelic
choirs. Again, however, no angel would likely rebel if he
believed that the One Who decided this was truly the all-
perfect God, for it is fundamentally illogical to rebel against a
limitless power for any cause. Hence God perhaps allowed
the angels to entertain the possibility that, although He was
greater than they, He might not be omnipotent. He could have
told them that He was truly God and yet held back certitude of
this claim in order to test them. These are interesting
possibilities but Holy Church does not impose any of them on
us as matters of faith.

October is the only month of the year which is graced by two

dedications. It is devoted both to Our Lady of the Holy
Rosary and to the holy angels. As our Lady takes precedence
over the angels as their Queen, one system for conferring
appropriate honour to both would be to concentrate devotion
on the Rosary in first, third and fifth weeks (and in any
additional part of a closing sixth week). This way, the month
is opened and closed and marked at centre by devotion to the
ii
Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion can
then be lavished on the holy angels in the second and fourth
weeks of the month. However, a devotional octave of the
angels should also be observed, and this will mean honouring
both our Lady, the Queen of Angels, and the angelic hosts in
the first days of October.
Tuesday is the special weekday of the holy angels. Therefore,
devotion should be concentrated on the angels on all Tuesdays
in October (and generally throughout the year), while devotion
should be focused on the Holy Rosary devotions on all
Saturdays of the month, as Saturday is our Lady’s weekday.
Michaelmas (always pronounced as ‘mikelmiss’), the Feast of
St. Michael and All Angels, is celebrated on 29 th September,
just before the month of October begins. It prepares us for an
angelic month. The Feast of the Guardian Angels comes on
2nd October; that of St. Raphael, the healing angel, on 24 th
October. St. Gabriel is our Lady’s angel because he is
associated especially with the Annunciation. For this reason,
his feastday is the eve of the Annunciation: it is observed on
24th March. St. Raphael is often regarded as mankind’s angel
because he is the healer of Tobias, and he saved Sara from the
devil. St. Michael is God’s angel; St. Gabriel, our Lady’s; St.
Raphael, ours; and each of us has an angel-guardian.
Why are Tuesdays dedicated to the holy angels in Catholic
devotion? This has to do with the development of votive
Masses in the Middle Ages. Sunday was dedicated to the
Blessed Trinity; Monday, to the Holy Ghost. Next in rank to
One Person of God is our Lady, but she already had her
established weekday on Saturday (and for good symbolic
reason). Next in rank to our Lady are the angels; therefore,
they were assigned Tuesday, the next day in the week, for
votive Masses. Christ tells us that the saints will rank above
the angels but this will happen only after the General

iii
Resurrection. Wednesday became the saints’ weekday,
therefore. (Today, it mainly honours St. Joseph but also SS.
Peter and Paul and the other apostles.) The dedications for
Thursday and Friday are the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy
Cross (and Sacred Passion) respectively. The reason for these
last dedications is obvious.
For the angels, there are popular prayers (such as the prayer to
one's angel-guardian and the prayer to St. Michael that is
recited after Low Masses); an approved angelic chaplet and a
Chaplet of St. Raphael; a little office; and eight approved
litanies—one for each known archangel, a second one for St.
Michael, three for the angel-guardians, and one for the angels
generally. The last of these is similar in form to the Litany of
the Saints but none of the angelic litanies are approved for
public use. They may be prayed privately or communally in
church but may not be used in processions or in connexion
with the Sacred Liturgy unless the local or proper bishop
decides to make an exception by writ. There are also many
approved prayers to the angels, including some which have
appeared in the Raccolta over time.
This booklet provides the text for the approved Little Office of
the Holy Angels. This is the shortest and simplest of all the
offices, and it omits Lauds (as some short offices do). With
one very small exception, each hora varies only at its hymn:
all the other prayers are the same from one hour to the next.
The exception is that an extra versicle and response are added
for Compline to follow standard procedure for that hour in
other offices. This booklet includes the well-known Prayer to
St. Michael and the short and poetical Prayer to our Angel-
Guardian. Also included here are the litanies. For the angelic
Chaplet, the prayers are provided. If one not own a Chaplet of
the Angels, it can be prayed by tying three knots on a string
and just following the invocations.

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THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE HOLY ANGELS
To be prayed especially on Tuesdays throughout the year and in October
MATINS to VESPERS: 12.00 midnight to 6.00 p.m.
(Compline and the Commendation follow as a separate entry hereunder)
Each hour, except for Compline, is identical to the others
save for the distinctive Hymn.

Antiphon: God hath given His angels charge over thee, to

keep thee in all thy ways. Amen.
℣. Thou shalt  open my lips, O Lord.
℟. And my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.
℣. O God, come  to my assistance.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. [Bowing] Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. [Unbowing] As it was in the beginning, is now
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hymn for Matins at midnight
(or it may be anticipated or said before Prime in the morning):
Praise we those ministers celestial
Whom the dread Father chose
To be defenders of our nature frail,
Against our scheming foes.
Hymn for Prime at 6.00 a.m.
For, since that from his glory in the skies
The apostate angel fell,
Burning with envy, evermore he tries
To drown our souls in Hell.
Hymn for Terce at 9.00 a.m.
Then hither, watchful spirit, bend thy wing,
Our country’s guardian blest!
Avert her* threatening ills; expel each thing
That hindereth her rest.
1
 Hymn for Sext at 12.00 noon
O Christ!, the beauty of the angels’ worlds!
Of man the Maker and Redeemer blest!
Grant us one day to mount the path of light,
And in Thy glory rest.
Hymn for None at 3.00 p.m.
Angel of Peace!, thou Michael, from above,
Come down, amid the homes of man to dwell;
And banish wars, with all their tears and blood,
Back to their native Hell.
Hymn for Vespers at 6.00 p.m.
Angel of Strength!, thou, Gabriel, cast out
Thine ancient foes, usurpers of thy reign;
The temples of thy triumph round the globe
Revisit once again.

Antiphon: O Holy Angels, our guardians, defend us in the

combat, that we perish not in the dreadful Judgement!
℣. In the sight of the angels, I will sing unto Thee, my God.
℟. I will adore at Thy holy temple, and confess unto Thy Name.

Let us pray.
O God, Who, with unspeakable providence, hast vouchsafed
to appoint Thy holy angels to be our guardians, grant to Thy
humble suppliants, to be always defended by their protection,
and to enjoy their everlasting society. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen.
* The reference is to the soul, which is traditionally treated as female.
Compline follows hereunder: it has not only a distinctive hymn but also
an extra versicle and response. (This structure derives from that of the
Divine Office.)

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 COMPLINE: 9.00 p.m.
Antiphon: God hath given His angels charge over thee, to keep
thee in all thy ways. Amen.
℣. Convert us,  O God, our Saviour.
℟. And avert Thine anger from us.
℣. Thou shalt  open my lips, O Lord.
℟. And my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.
℣. O God, come  to my assistance.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. [Bowing] Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the
Holy Ghost.
℟. [Unbowing] As it was in the beginning, is now and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hymn for Compline at 9.00 p.m.
And Raphael, physician of the soul,—
Let him descend from his pure halls of light,
To heal the sick, and guide each doubtful course
Through all our life aright.
Antiphon: O Holy Angels, our guardians, defend us in the
combat, that we perish not in the dreadful judgement!
℣. In the sight of the angels, I will sing to Thee, my God.
℟. I will adore at Thy holy temple, and confess unto Thy Name.
Let us pray.
O God, Who, with unspeakable providence, hast vouchsafed to
appoint Thy holy angels to be our guardians, grant to Thy
humble suppliants, to be always defended by their protection,
and to enjoy their everlasting society. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen.

3
 THE COMMENDATION
(To be used to close the Office, regardless of which hour be prayed last)
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day/night be at my side
To rule and guard, to watch and guide.
Amen.
℟. Thanks be to God.

THE ARCHANGELS:
SS. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael

4
PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be

our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince
of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust down into
Hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

To St. Michael: Grant us with Michael still, O Lord, / Against

the Prince of Pride to fight; / So may a crown be our reward /
Before the Lamb’s pure throne of light.
(From Second Vespers of Michaelmas)

To St. Gabriel: O God, Who didst choose from among all

other angels the Archangel Gabriel to announce the mystery of
Thine Incarnation, grant, in Thy mercy, that by celebrating his
feast on earth, we may reap the effect of his protection in
Heaven. (From the Collect of the Feast of St. Gabriel)

To St. Raphael: O God, Who, to Tobias, Thy servant, when,

on his journey, didst give blessed Raphael the Archangel as a
companion: grant to us, Thy servants, that we may be ever
protected by his custody and strengthened by his help.
(The Collect of the Feast of St. Raphael)

To All the Angels: Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, you that
are mighty in strength and execute His word, hearkening unto
the voice of His commands. (From the Gradual of St. Gabriel)

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 THE CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL
AND ALL ANGELS
This Chaplet was especially prayed by policemen and firemen
in the past. It was given to Antonia d’Astonac in an apparition
of St. Michael. It has been approved by Holy Church and its
promoter is now being investigated for sainthood. Those who
do not have the beads for this may tie three knots in a string
and then add a fourth which is farther away from the others
than they are to each other. In the form given hereunder, in
which each bead is related to a specific invocation, there is
really no need to use beads at all: one may simply follow the
prayers and it becomes, in effect, a little psalter.
It consists of a circlet of beads that is divided into sets. There
are nine sets. Each set consists of one separate bead and three
joined beads, except that the first separate bead is arranged on
a pendant at the joining or centrepiece. The pendant consists
of a medal, one separate bead, three joined beads, and, again, a
final separate bead near the joining or centrepiece.
On the medal, say the invitatory:
℣. Incline  unto my aid, O God.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Now skip the next four beads of the pendant and go immediately to
the pendant bead which is next to the joining or centrepiece. The first
salutation will begin there with one invocation and a Pater.
For each set of beads, say the dedicatory salutation and one Pater,
then say one Ave on each of the three joined beads. On the first joined
bead, consider our Lady as Queen of the given choir of angels for that
set, and pray to her with that choir. On the second joined bead,
consider St. Michael as the Prince of that choir; on the third, think of
that choir under the governance of the Queen of Angels and St.
Michael, Prince of all angels.

6
Salutations

1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of
perfect charity. Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Cherubim, may the Lord vouchsafe to grant us grace to leave the
ways of wickedness and run in the paths of Christian perfection.
Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere
spirit of humility. Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and
subdue our unruly passions. Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the
snares and temptations of the devil. Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil, and suffer us not to
fall into temptation. Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Principalities, may the Lord fill our souls with a true spirit of
obedience. Amen. One Pater, three Aves.

8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of

Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all
good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen.
One Pater, three Aves.

7
9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of
Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this
mortal life and conducted hereafter to eternal glory. Amen. One
Pater, three Aves.
[It would be apt to recite a Glory at the end of the circlet.]
At the end of the circlet, move onto the first pendant bead and say one
Pater in honour of St. Michael the Archangel, Prince of all angels and
God’s special angel. Then move onto the three joined beads of the
pendant. Say one Pater in honour of St. Gabriel the Archangel, our
Lady’s angel; one Pater in honour of St. Raphael, mankind’s healing
angel; and finally one Pater in honour of your holy angel-guardian.
On the final bead of the pendant, say this prayer, followed by the
versicle and response:
O glorious Prince, St. Michael, chief and commander of the
Heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits,
servant in the house of the divine King, and our admirable
conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman
virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with
confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection, to serve God
more and more faithfully every day.
℣. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of
Jesus Christ.
℟. That we may be made worthy of His promises.

On the medal, say the closing prayer:

Closing Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and
a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the
most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Thy Church, make
us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered by his powerful
protection from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at
the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the
august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we implore through
the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
8
Trimmings:
(Following is only a suggestion: trimmings should be prompted by
personal devotion.)
Short Leonine Prayer to St. Michael (see p. 32)

Invocations:
God the Father, Emperor of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Christ the King, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, our Advocate, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Our Lady Queen of Angels, pray for us.

St. Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Heavenly Host, pray for us.
St. Gabriel the Archangel, pray for us.
St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us.
My holy Guardian Angel, pray for us.

All the holy Seraphim, pray for us.

All the holy Cherubim, &c.
All the holy Thones,
All the holy Dominions,
All the holy Powers,
All the holy Virtues,
All the holy Principalities,
All the holy Archangels,
All the holy Angels,
All the blessed spirits of God,
All the holy saints of God,
Signum Crucis.

Prayer to one’s Guardian Angel (see p. 29, foot of the page)

The Chaplet of the Angels could be opened with the Principal Litany of
St. Michael and closed with the Litany of the Holy Angels. (On various
angelic feastdays, other angelic litanies could be used to open the
Rosary, which will always be closed by the Litany of Loreto.)
9
 THE ANGELIC LITANIES
Holy Church has approved a perplexing array of angelic
litanies. It is best left to each worshipper to decide when to
use any one of them (or if any). But some general
considerations can be offered here to help guide faithful. First
of all, given that the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels ranks
as first class, it is appropriate to observe a devotional octave
for it. It is definitely proper and customary to pray purely
devotional octaves for major feasts. This has been done
throughout the history of the Church. It is not irregular or
innovative but traditional to observe such octaves, but within
reason. The huge number of them used in the Middle Ages—
even as liturgical periods—was curtailed because this was
beginning to overwhelm faithful in their prayer lives. For
example, there was once a popular Octave of St. Agnes.
The second consideration is that October is devoted both to
the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the holy
angels. Our Lady takes precedence over the angels and it
would be apt to concentrate on the Rosary in the first, third,
fifth (and closing) weeks of the month; on the angels in the
second and fourth weeks. Tuesday is the weekday assigned by
Holy Church to the angels for Votive Masses. Tuesdays
throughout October and generally throughout the year are a
time to venerate the angels.
The Church has approved eight angelic litanies. One of them
is the Litany of the Holy Angels. It is quite long and is
modelled on the Litany of the Saints. There are two approved
litanies to venerate St. Michael. They are especially suitable
for use on his feastday (29th September) and its octave day
(6th October) and on a Tuesday within his octave. One might
be used with morning or evening prayer; the other, to open the
10
Rosary. St. Raphael is mankind’s healing angel, and his Litany
should be prayed on his feastday (24th October) for the sick.
The Feast of St. Gabriel is 24th March, as it must precede the
Annunciation for obvious reasons. The Litany of St. Gabriel
should be recited on his feastday.
There are three litanies devoted to our holy guardian angels.
They may be used, in particular, on the Feast of the Angel-
Guardians (2nd October) and generally in the octave of
Michaelmas. For those who have the time, the second “Litany
of the Angel-guardians” could be used with night prayers
before retiring. It is an established tradition at least to say the
prayer of your guardian angel near the end of night prayers so
that he will watch over and protect you through the night. The
second Litany for this is more personal, as the response is
“pray for me” rather than “pray for us”. These litanies of the
guardian angels could be said to open and/or close the Chaplet
of the Holy Angels or to open the Rosary on appropriate days.
The first “Litany of the Angel-guardians” given here ends with
a special prayer to that angel. It might be recited to open the
Rosary on the Feast of the Guardian Angels. The Third might
be used to close morning prayer on that day.
In fine, following are the times especially appropriate for
invoking the angels:
1. with evening prayer (guardian angel);
2. on their feastdays;
3. on Tuesdays throughout the year, especially in October;
4. in the second and fourth weeks of October;
5. in an octave for Michaelmas (29th September –6th October).

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 LITANY OF THE HOLY ANGELS
(for private use only)
This Litany might be prayed at times when the angels of God are
generally venerated: on Tuesdays throughout the year; during the month
of October; in an octave of Michaelmas; to close the angelic chaplet.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
St. Michael, who wast ever the defender of God’s people, &c.
St. Michael, who didst drive from Heaven Lucifer
and his rebel crew,
St. Michael, who didst cast down to Hell
the accuser of our brethren,
St. Gabriel, who didst expound to Daniel the Heavenly vision,
St. Gabriel, who didst foretell to Zachary the birth
and ministry of John the Baptist,
St. Gabriel, who didst announce to Mary the Incarnation
of the Divine Word,
St. Raphael, who didst lead Tobias safely through his journey
to his home again,
St. Raphael, who didst deliver Sara from the devil,
St. Raphael, who didst restore his sight to Tobias the elder,
All ye holy angels, who stand before the high
and lofty throne of God,
Who cry to Him continually, Holy, holy, holy,
Who dispel the darkness of our minds and give us light,
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Who are the messengers of Heavenly things to men,
Who have been appointed by God to be our guardians,
Who always behold the face of our Father Who is in Heaven,
Who rejoice over one sinner doing penance,
Who struck the Sodomites with blindness,
Who led Lot out of the midst of the ungodly,
Who ascended and descended on the ladder of Jacob,
Who delivered the divine law to Moses on Mount Sinai,
Who brought good tidings when Christ was born,
Who ministered to Him in the desert,
Who comforted Him in His agony,
Who sat in white garments at His sepulchre,
Who appeared to the disciples as He went up into Heaven,
Who shall go before Him bearing the standard of the Cross
when He cometh to Judgement,
Who shall gather together the elect at the end of the world,
Who shall separate the wicked from among the just,
Who offer to God the prayers of them that pray,
Who assist us at the hour of death,
Who carried Lazarus into Abraham’s bosom,
Who conduct to Heaven the souls of the just,
cleansed from every stain,
Who perform signs and wonders by the power of God,
Who are sent to minister for those who shall receive
the inheritance of salvation,
Who would cure Babylon, and when she will not be cured,
depart and forsake her,
Who are set over kingdoms and provinces,
Who have often put to flight armies of enemies,
Who have often delivered God’s servants from prison
and other perils of this life,
Who have often consoled the holy martyrs in their torments,
Who are wont to cherish with peculiar care the prelates and
princes of the Church and all that are under their charge,
All ye holy orders of blessed spirits,
13
From all dangers, deliver us, O Lord, by Thy holy angels.
From the snares of the devil,
deliver us, O Lord, by Thy holy angels.
From all heresy and schism,
deliver us, O Lord, by Thy holy angels.
From plague, famine and war,
deliver us, O Lord, by Thy holy angels.
From sudden and unlooked-for death,
deliver us, O Lord, by Thy holy angels.
From everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord, by Thy holy angels.
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
Through thy holy angels, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern
and preserve Thy Holy Church, &c.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to protect our Apostolic Prelate
and all ecclesiastical orders in holy religion,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and security to
kings and all Christian princes,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give
and preserve the fruits of the earth,
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest
to all the faithful departed,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Pater (secretly).
14
℣. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels,
℟. Ye that are mighty in strength, that fulfil His commandments,
hearkening unto the voice of His words.
℣. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts,
℟. Ye ministers of His, that do His will.
℣. He hath given His angels charge concerning Thee
℟. To keep thee in all thy ways.
℣. The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that
fear him,
℟. And shall deliver them.
℣. In the sight of the angels will I sing unto Thee, O my God.
℟. I will worship toward Thy holy temple,
and will give praise unto Thy Name, O Lord.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, Who dispensest the services of angels and men in a
wonderful order: mercifully grant that our life may be protected
on earth by those who always do Thee service in Heaven.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

15
 PRINCIPAL LITANY OF ST. MICHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL
(for private use only)
This Litany might be prayed on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
(Michaelmas) and during an octave for that festival. It could be recited
with morning prayers, while the Second Litany of St. Michael might be
used to open the Rosary; or the two could be used to open and close the
Chaplet of St. Michael and the Holy Angels.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
St. Michael, pray for us.
St. Michael, filled with the wisdom of God, pray for us.
St. Michael, perfect adorer of the Incarnate Word, &c.
St. Michael, crowned with honour and glory,
St. Michael, most powerful prince of the armies of the Lord,
St. Michael, standard-bearer of the Most Holy Trinity,
St. Michael, victor over Satan,
St. Michael, guardian of Paradise,
St. Michael, guide and comforter of the people of Israel,
St. Michael, splendour and fortress of the Church Militant,
St. Michael, honour and joy of the Church Triumphant,
St. Michael, light of angels,
St. Michael, bulwark of orthodox believers,
St. Michael, strength of those who fight
under the standard of the Cross,
St. Michael, light and confidence of souls at the hour of death,
St. Michael, our most sure aid,
St. Michael, our help in all adversities,
St. Michael, herald of the Everlasting Sentence,
16
St. Michael, consoler of souls detained in the flames of Purgatory,
Thou whom the Lord has charged to receive souls after death,
St. Michael, our Prince,
St. Michael, our advocate,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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, graciously hear us.
℣. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church
of Jesus Christ,
℟. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Let us pray.
Sanctify us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with Thy holy blessing, and
grant us, by the intercession of St. Michael, that wisdom which
teaches us to lay up treasures in Heaven by exchanging the goods
of this world for those of eternity. Thou Who livest and reignest,
world without end. Amen.

n.
17
 SECOND LITANY OF ST. MICHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL
(for private use only)
This Litany might be prayed on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
(Michaelmas) and during an octave for that festival. It could be recited
to open the Rosary, while the Principal Litany of St. Michael might be
used with morning or evening prayers; or the two could be used to open
and close the Chaplet of St. Michael and the Holy Angels.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
Most glorious attendant of the Triune Divinity, pray for us.
Standing at the right hand of the Altar of Incense, &c.
Ambassador of Paradise,
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies,
Leader of the angelic hosts,
Warrior who thrust Satan into Hell,
Defender against the wickedness and snares of the devil,
Standard-bearer of God’s armies,
Defender of divine glory,
First defender of the Kingship of Christ,
Strength of God,
Invincible prince and warrior,
Angel of Peace,
Guardian of the Christian Faith,
Champion of God’s people,
Guardian angel of the Eucharist,
Defender of the Church,
18
Protector of the Sovereign Pontiff,
Angel of Catholic Action,
Powerful intercessor of Christians,
Bravest defender of those who hope in God,
Guardian of our souls and bodies,
Healer of the sick,
Help of those in their agony,
Consoler of the souls in Purgatory,
God’s messenger for the souls of the just,
Terror of the evil spirits,
Victorious in battle against evil,
Guardian and Patron of the Church Universal,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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.
℣. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Relying, O Lord, upon the intercession of Thy blessed Archangel
Michael, we humbly beseech Thee, that the Sacrament of the
Eucharist which we have received may make our souls holy and
pleasing to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

19
 LITANY OF ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL
(for private use only)
St. Gabriel is called our Lady’s angel because he was honoured to
announce to her the Incarnation of the Divine Word. He is also regarded
as the angel who announced to St. Zachary the birth and name of St.
John the Baptist. Gabriel is the angel of the Incarnation, therefore. His
feastday is 24th March but, in the 1962 rite, it is only commemorated
when it is observed at all. During Holy Week and Easter Week, it is
altogether omitted. (Before 1962, prior to Passiontide, this feastday
could be celebrated in Lent on a weekday, the Feria being
commemorated.)
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, glorious Archangel, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, strength of God, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, who standeth before the throne of God, &c.
St. Gabriel, model of prayer,
St. Gabriel, herald of the Incarnation,
St. Gabriel, who revealed the glories of Mary,
St. Gabriel, Prince of Heaven,
St. Gabriel, ambassador of the Most High,
St. Gabriel, guardian of the Immaculate Virgin,
St. Gabriel, who foretold the greatness of Jesus,
St. Gabriel, peace and light of souls,
St. Gabriel, scourge of unbelievers,
St. Gabriel, admirable teacher,
St. Gabriel, strength of the just,
St. Gabriel, protector of the faithful,
St. Gabriel, first adorer of the Divine Word,
20
St. Gabriel, defender of the Faith,
St. Gabriel, zealous for the honour of Jesus Christ,
St. Gabriel, whom the Scriptures praise as the angel sent by God
to Mary, the Virgin,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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, graciously hear us.
℣. Pray for us, blessed Archangel Gabriel,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
O blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, intercede for us at
the throne of divine mercy in our present necessities that, as thou
didst announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation so, through
thy prayers and patronage in Heaven, we may attain the benefits of
the same, and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the
living. Amen.

21
LITANY OF ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
(for private use only)

St. Raphael is regarded as mankind’s special archangel, the healing

angel, just as St. Michael and St. Gabriel are the special angels of God
and our Lady respectively. He is also a patron angel of travellers.
Raphael derives his position in devotion from the rôle he plays in the
Book of Tobias in the Old Testament. In that Book, he guided Tobias
the younger on a journey, cured his father of blindness and saved Sara
from the devil.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.

St. Raphael, pray for us.
St. Raphael, filled with the mercy of God, pray for us.
St. Raphael, perfect adorer of the Divine Word, &c.
St. Raphael, terror of demons,
St. Raphael, exterminator of vices,
St. Raphael, health of the sick,
St. Raphael, our refuge in all our trials,
St. Raphael, guide of travellers,
St. Raphael, consoler of prisoners,
St. Raphael, joy of the sorrowful,
St. Raphael, filled with zeal for the salvation of souls,
St. Raphael, whose name means Medicine of God,
St. Raphael, lover of chastity,
22
St. Raphael, scourge of demons,
St. Raphael, in pest, famine and war,
St. Raphael, angel of peace and prosperity,
St. Raphael, endowed with the grace of healing,
St. Raphael, sure guide in the paths
of virtue and sanctification,
St. Raphael, help of all those who implore thine assistance,
St. Raphael, who wert the guide and consolation of
Tobias on his journey,
St. Raphael, whom the Scriptures praise:
“Raphael, the holy angel of the Lord, was sent to cure”,
St. Raphael, our advocate,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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, graciously hear us.

℣. Pray for us, St. Raphael, to the Lord our God,

℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, by the prayer of the Archangel Raphael,
grant us the grace to avoid all sin and to persevere in every
good work until we reach our Heavenly country. Thou Who
livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

23
 THE CHAPLET OF ST. RAPHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL
This Chaplet is used to pray for the intercession of St. Raphael for the
sick, for travellers and for emigrants, and also those afflicted with
blindness. It consists of a circlet of nine beads to which is attached a
pendant of three beads that terminates in a medal of St. Raphael. The
reverse side of the medal usually says “Pray for us”, while the obverse
side depicts the angel. There is no centrepiece to connect circlet and
pendant but only a joining. Those who do not have such a pendant could
tie nine knots in a string, followed by a goodly space and then by three
knots.

Begin by saying an invitatory:

℣. Incline  unto my aid, O Lord.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.

On the medal, make this invocation:

Thou art Raphael the Healer,
Thou art Raphael the Guide,
Thou art Raphael the Companion,
Even at human sorrow’s side.

On each of the three pendant beads, say an Ave to honour our

Lady Queen of Angels.
On each bead in the circlet, say the following prayer in honour
of the nine angelic choirs in their ranks of seraphim, cherubim,
thrones, dominions, powers, virtues, principalities, archangels
and angels:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.

24
Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Son, Glory be to the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
At the end of the circlet, close the devotion with this
invocation:
St. Raphael, angel of health, of love, of joy and light,
pray for us!

25
 PRINCIPAL LITANY TO THE HOLY
ANGEL-GUARDIAN
(for private use only)
This Litany might be used to open the Rosary on the Feast of the Holy Angel-
guardians (2nd October), for example. It is the oldest of the approved litanies.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, 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 Ghost, 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, &c.
Holy Angel, my counsellor,
Holy Angel, my defender,
Holy Angel, my steward,
Holy Angel, my friend,
Holy Angel, my negotiator,
Holy Angel, my intercessor,
Holy Angel, my patron,
Holy Angel, my director,
Holy Angel, my ruler,
Holy Angel, my protector,
Holy Angel, my comforter,
Holy Angel, my brother,
Holy Angel, my teacher,
Holy Angel, my shepherd,
Holy Angel, my witness,
Holy Angel, my helper,
Holy Angel, my watcher,
Holy Angel, my conductor,
Holy Angel, my preserver,
Holy Angel, my instructor,
Holy Angel, my enlightener,
26
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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, graciously hear us.
℣. Pray for us, O holy Angel-guardian,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Almighty, everlasting God, Who, in the counsel of Thine ineffable
goodness, hast appointed to each of the faithful, from his/her mother’s
womb, a special angel-guardian of his/her body and soul: grant that I
may so love and honour him whom thou hast so mercifully given me
that, protected by the bounty of Thy grace and by his assistance, I may
merit to behold with him and all the angelic host, the glory of Thy
countenance in the Heavenly country. Who livest and reignest, world
without end. Amen.

A PRAYER TO ONE’S HOLYANGEL-GUARDIAN

O most faithful companion, appointed by God to be my guardian, my
protector and defender, and who never leavest my side: how shall I
thank thee for thy faithfulness and love, and for all the benefits which
thou hast conferred upon me? Thou watchest over me while I sleep;
thou comfortest me when I am sad; thou encouragest me when I am
dejected; thou avertest the dangers that threaten me; thou warnest me
of those that are to come; thou withdrawest me from sin, and excitest
me to good; thou exhortest me to penance when I fall, and reconcilest
me to God. Long ago should I have been thrust down into Hell
unless, by thy prayers, thou hadst turned away from me the anger of
God. Leave me not, nor forsake me ever, I beseech thee, but still
comfort me in adversity, defend me in danger, assist me in
temptations, lest, at any time, I fall beneath them. Offer up in the
sight of the Divine Majesty my prayers and groanings and all my
works of piety, and make me to persevere in grace until I come to
everlasting life. Amen.
27
 SECOND LITANY TO THE HOLY
ANGEL-GUARDIAN
(for private use only)
The responses for this litany are mostly to “pray for me”. It is therefore
more personal than are the other two litanies of the Angel-guardians. Its
petitions are also longer and more descriptive than are the other two. It
might be used with night prayer, especially on Tuesdays, and generally
in October, and in the Octave of Michaelmas. It might also be used with
night prayers throughout the year as a standard way to encourage
devotion to the guardian who has been appointed to care for you. The
angels are normally invoked with night prayer that they might protect us
when we sleep. This is why the short prayer to the Guardian Angel is
normally said before retiring.
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 Ghost, 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, &c.
Angel of Heaven, who dost give me wise direction,
Angel of Heaven, who dost take the place of a tutor,
Angel of Heaven, who dost love me tenderly,
Angel of Heaven, who art my consoler,
Angel of Heaven, who art attached to me as a good brother,
Angel of Heaven, who dost instruct me in the duties and
truth of salvation,
Angel of Heaven, who art to me a charitable shepherd,
Angel of Heaven, who art witness of all my actions,
Angel of Heaven, who dost help me in all my undertakings,
Angel of Heaven, who dost continually watch over me,
28
Angel of Heaven, who dost intercede for me,
Angel of Heaven, who dost carry me in thy hand,
Angel of Heaven, who dost direct me in all my ways,
Angel of Heaven, who dost defend me with zeal,
Angel of Heaven, who dost conduct me with wisdom,
Angel of Heaven, who dost guard me from all danger,
Angel of Heaven, who dost dissipate the darkness and
enlighten the mind,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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.
Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.
℣. Pray for us, O guardian angel,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, Who, by an effect of Thy bounty,
hast given to each of the faithful an angel to be the guardian of
body and soul, grant that I may have so much respect and love
for him whom Thou hast given me in Thy mercy that, protected
by the gifts of Thy graces and 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.
NIGHT PRAYER TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this night* be at my side,
To rule and guard, to watch and guide.
Amen.
* When said in the morning or afternoon, day is substituted for night here;
however, the prayer is most often recited before retiring.
29
 THIRD LITANY TO THE HOLY
ANGEL-GUARDIAN
(for private use only)
This is the shortest Litany of the Angel-guardians. It is more descriptive
than the Principal one but less so than the second. It could be used with
morning prayer on the Feast of the Guardian Angels (2nd October), for
example. Note that the closing prayer for this Litany is the same as that
to be used to close the Second Litany to the Holy Angel-guardians.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.
Holy Angel, my guardian, pray for us.
Holy Angel, my protector in all dangers, pray for us.
Holy Angel, my defence in all afflictions, &c.
Holy Angel, most faithful lover,
Holy Angel, my preceptor,
Holy Angel, my guide,
Holy Angel, witness of all my actions,
Holy Angel, my helper in all my difficulties,
Holy Angel, my negotiator with God,
Holy Angel, my advocate,
Holy Angel, lover of chastity,
Holy Angel, lover of innocence,
Holy Angel, most obedient to God,
Holy Angel, director of my soul,
Holy Angel, model of purity,
Holy Angel, model of docility,
Holy Angel, my counsellor in doubt,
Holy Angel, my guardian through life,
Holy Angel, my shield at the hour of death,
30
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest 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.
Let us pray.
Almighty, everlasting God, Who, in the counsel of Thine ineffable
goodness, hast appointed to each of the faithful, from his/her mother’s
womb, a special angel-guardian of his/her body and soul: grant that I
may so love and honour him whom thou hast so mercifully given me
that, protected by the bounty of Thy grace and by his assistance, I may
merit to behold with him and all the angelic host, the glory of Thy
countenance in the Heavenly country. Who livest and reignest, world
without end. Amen.

31
TREASURY OF PRAYERS TO THE HOLY ANGELS
PRAYER TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS
According to pious belief, the following prayer was communicated by
our Lady to a Bernardine nun. The nun saw the desolation caused to the
earth by the devil. Our Lady told her that the time had come to pray for
her as Queen of Angels to defeat the demons of Hell. The blessed Virgin
asked the nun to have the following prayer printed and distributed.
Given the prophecies of Our Lady of Fatima, this prayer is especially
appropriate in these hours of darkness.

August Queen of Heaven! Sovereign Mistress of the Angels!

Thou, who, from the beginning, hath received from God the
power and mission to crush the head of Satan, we humbly
beseech thee to send God’s holy legions that, under thy
command and by thy power, they may pursue the evil spirits,
encounter them on every side, resist their bold attacks and
drive them hence into the abyss of eternal woe. Amen.
* * *
PRAYERS TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
MARSHAL OF GOD'S HEAVENLY HOSTS
The Short Leonine Prayer to be used after Low Mass
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be
our safeguard against the wickedness and the snares of the
devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O
Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust
down into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about
the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
The Original Prayer of Pope Leo XIII against the Devil
This should be used on the Feast of St. Michael, and in the octave of that
feast, especially on its octave day (6th October).
O Glorious Prince of the Heavenly Host, St. Michael the
Archangel, defend us in battle and in the fearful warfare that
32
we are waging against principalities and powers, against the
rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come
thou to the assistance of men, whom Almighty God created to
be immortal, making them in His own image and likeness, and
redeeming them at a great price from the tyranny of the fiend.
Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with thy legions
of holy angels, even as of old thou didst fight against Lucifer,
the leader of the proud spirits, and all his rebel angels, who
were powerless to stand against thee, neither was their place
found any more in Heaven. Hence that great dragon, the
ancient serpent, was cast forth, who is called the devil and
Satan, who seduces the whole world; he was cast forth into the
abyss, and his angels with him.
But behold! The ancient enemy of mankind, a murderer from
the beginning, has been fiercely aroused. Transforming
himself into an angel of light, he wanders about with the
whole multitude of wicked spirits to invade the earth and to
blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to plunder, to
slay, and to assign to everlasting perdition souls that were
made to inherit a crown of eternal life. Into men of depraved
mind and corrupted heart, this wicked dragon spews forth, as
an impure flood, the poison of his malice: the spirit of lying,
of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity,
and every vice and iniquity.
Be favourable to Thy Church, the Bride of the Immaculate
Lamb, for these enemies of God have filled her with
wormword and inebriated her with gall; they have laid their
profane hands upon her most sacred treasures. Even in the
holy sanctuary itself, where Christ hath established the See of
Peter, the Chair of Truth, to enlighten the world, they have
raised a throne of abomination and impiety so that, the Pastor
having been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

33
Arise, then, O invincible Prince: rescue Thy people against the
stratagems of the unclean spirits, and grant them victory.
Thou art venerated by Holy Church as her protector and
patron; thou art glorified as our defence against the malicious
powers of Hell; unto thee hath God entrusted the souls of men
to be redeemed into Heavenly beatitude. Entreat, therefore,
the God of Peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, lest he
hold mankind in bondage and wound Thy Church. Offer thou
our prayers before the throne of the Most High, so that the
mercy of the Lord may solve them quickly, and drive back the
ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and send him
bound into the abyss, that he may seduce the nations no more.
Amen.
V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Begone, ye evil powers!
R. The Lion  of the Tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath
conquered! Alleluia!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
[If recited by a cleric:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.]
Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy Holy
Name, and we humbly implore Thy clemency that, through the
intercession of holy Mary, the Immaculate and ever-virgin Mother
of God, of blessed Michael the Archangel, of blessed Joseph,
spouse of the same holy Virgin, of the blessed Apostles Peter and
Paul, and of all the saints, Thou mayest deign to rescue us from the
fiend and from all the unclean spirits, who prowl about the world to
corrupt souls and ruin mankind. Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle, that we may not
perish in the fearful Judgement. St. Michael, first champion of the
Kingship of Christ, pray for us. Amen.
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Prayer to St. Michael for Help against Spiritual Enemies
Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly hosts, who
standest always ready to help God’s people; who didst combat
the dragon, that old serpent, and didst cast him out of Heaven;
and who now dost valiantly defend God’s Holy Church, that
the gates of Hell may never prevail against her: I earnestly
entreat thee to assist me also in the harrowing and dangerous
conflict which I must endure against the same formidable
enemy. Be with me, O mighty Prince!, that I courageously
fight and entirely vanquish that proud spirit whom thou hast so
gloriously overthrown by the divine Power and whom our
powerful King, Jesus Christ, hast, in our nature, so completely
overcome: to the end that, having triumphed over the enemy
of my salvation, I may, with thee and all the holy angels,
praise the clemency of God, Who, having refused sympathy to
the unrepentant demons after their fall, hast granted
redemption to fallen man.
Short Invocation to St. Michael against the Powers of Darkness
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly hosts and victor over
rebellious spirits, be mindful of me, for I am so weak and
sinful, and so prone to pride and ambition. Lend me thine aid,
I beseech thee, in every temptation and difficulty, and above
all, do not forsake me in my last struggle against the powers of
evil. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael for Courage and Strength
St. Michael the Archangel, glorious Prince, chief and
champion of the Heavenly hosts, guardian of the souls of men,
conqueror of the rebel angels, how resplendent art thou in thy
Heavenly armour! We love thee, dear Prince of Heaven!
We, thy happy clients, yearn to enjoy thy special protection.
Obtain for us from God a share of thy sturdy courage. Pray
that we may have a strong and tender love for our Redeemer
and, in every danger or temptation, become invincible against
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the enemy of our souls. O standard-bearer of our salvation!,
be with us in our last agony and when our souls quit this
earthly exile. Carry them safely to the Judgement seat of
Christ, and may our Lord and Master bid thee bear us speedily
to the Kingdom of eternal bliss. Teach us ever to repeat thy
sublime cry: “Who is like unto God?”. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael for Protection of the Church
O Glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church
of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of His mystical Bride,
against which the powers of Hell have been unleashed. Guard
with especial care Christ’s Vicar on earth and obtain that, for
him and for us all, the hour of triumph may arrive speedily. O
Glorious Archangel, St. Michael, watch over us during life,
defend us against the assaults of the fiend, assist us especially
at the hour of death, and obtain for us a favourable judgement
and the happiness of beholding God face to face for all
eternity. Amen.

PRAYERS TO ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL,

OUR LADY’S ANGEL
St. Gabriel is our Lady’s angel because he announced to her the
Incarnation and Birth of Jesus Christ. He was also the angel who
foretold the coming of Christ to the Prophet Daniel. In addition, it is
believed that he is the angel who appeared to Zachary to announce the
birth of St. John the Baptist. His name means strength of God and he is
God’s principal ambassador to mankind.
Collect from the Mass of St. Gabriel (to be used on his feastday)
O God, Who didst choose from among all blessed spirits the
Archangel Gabriel to announce the mystery of Thine
Incarnation, grant, in Thy mercy that, celebrating his feast on
earth, we may reap the benefit of his help in Heaven, Who livest
and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer to St. Gabriel for the Benefit of the Incarnation
O blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech Thee, do thou
intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy in our present
necessities, that, as thou didst announce to holy St. Mary the
mystery of the Incarnation, so, through thy prayers and
patronage in Heaven, we may attain the benefits of the
Redemption for which Christ came unto us, and sing the praises
of God forever in the land of the living. Amen.
Prayer to St. Gabriel for Protection for those whom we love
O loving messenger of the Incarnation, do thou descend upon all
those for whom I wish peace and happiness. Spread thy wings
over the cradles of newborn babes, O thou who didst announce
the coming of the Infant Jesus. Give to the young a lily petal
from the virginal sceptre in thy hand. Cause the Ave Maria to
echo through all hearts, that they may find grace and joy through
Mary. Finally, deign to recall those sublime words which were
uttered on the day of the Annunciation, “Nothing shall be
impossible with God”, and repeat them in hours of trial to all
those whom I love, that their confidence in our Lord may be
rekindled when all other help fails. Amen.

PRAYERS TO ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

MANKINDS’ HEALING ANGEL AND PATRON OF
TRAVELLERS AND EMIGRANTS
St. Raphael appears only in the Book of Tobias in Holy Writ.
He accompanies Tobias the younger in an important voyage,
cures the elder Tobias of blindness and rescues Sara from the
devil. He is the patron of travellers, of meetings, of emigrants.
Postcommunion from the Mass of St. Raphael the Archangel
Vouchsafe, O Lord God, to send unto our assistance St. Raphael
the Archangel: and may he, who, we believe, evermore standeth
before the throne of Thy Majesty, offer unto Thee our humble
petitions to be blessed by Thee. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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A Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel for Healing
O Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great Prince of the Heavenly
Court, illustrious for thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of
those who journey by land or sea, consoler of the afflicted and
refuge of sinners: assist me in all my needs and in all the
suffering of this life, I beseech thee, as once thou didst help the
young Tobias in his travels. And because thou art “the medicine
of God”, I humbly pray thee to heal me of the many infirmities
of my soul and of the ills which afflict my body if this be for my
greater good. I especially ask of thee an angelic purity, which
may fit me to be the temple of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
A Prayer to St. Raphael for Grace in the Journey of Life
O God, Who, in thine ineffable goodness, hast appointed blessed
Raphael to be the conductor of Thy faithful in their journeys, we
humbly implore Thee, that we may be conducted by him in the
way of salvation, and benefit from his help in overcoming the
maladies of our souls. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Note: there exist a number of established prayers to St. Raphael for
travellers, emigrants, those attending meetings. They are not included
here because this booklet is for use in general devotion on this
Archangel’s feastday and in October.

PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL FOR ALL MEN

O pure and happy spirits whom the Almighty selected to become
the angels and guardians of men, I most humbly kneel before
you to thank you for the charity and zeal with which you execute
your commission. Alas! How many pass a long life without
ever thanking that invisible friend to whom they owe a thousand
times the preservation of their souls?
O charitable guardians of those souls for whom Christ died!;
flaming spirits, who cannot avoid loving those whom Jesus
eternally loves: vouchsafe to allow me to address you on behalf
of all those who are committed to your care, and to implore for
38
all of them in general a grateful sense of your many favours, and
also the grace to profit by your charitable assistance.
O angels of those happy infants who, as yet, are without spot
before God, I conjure you earnestly to preserve them in their
innocency.
O angels of youth, those who are exposed to so many
allurements and dangers, deign to lead them safely to the
bosom of God, as Tobias was conducted back to his father.
O angels of the instructors of youth, deign to animate them
with your zeal and your love; teach them to emulate your
purity and your adoration of our God, that they may worthily
co-operate with the invisible guardians of their young charges.
O angels of the clergy, who preach the eternal Gospel to all
nations, present their words, their deeds and their prayers to
God, and purify them in that fire of love which consumes you.
O angels of the missionaries, who have left their native lands
and all who were dear to them to preach the Gospel abroad:
protect them from all dangers, and especially from ferocious
animals and poisonous snakes; console them in their times of
solitude and dejection; and lead them to those souls who might
otherwise die deprived of the holy Sacrament of Baptism.
O angels of infidels and of pagans—of those who have never
been enlightened by the true Faith—intercede for them that
they might open their hearts to divine grace, receive the word
of truth from the missions, and come in peace to acknowledge
and adore the One True God.
O angels of all travellers, be their companions and their
guides, protect them from every hazard, and lead them safely
to their destinations.
O guardian angels of sinners, charitable guides of those
unhappy mortals whose perseverance in evil would embitter
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even your unutterable bliss were you not quickened in the
glory of God, oh join me, I ardently beseech you, to implore
their conversion and reformation.
And you, O guardian angels of the sick, I entreat to help and
console and to transmit the spirit of joy to all those who suffer
malady, and to implore to God to restore them to health, which
is among God’s greatest bounties. Intercede for them, that
they may not succumb to despondency. Through your
intercession, may they offer up their crosses with resolve for
the benefit of the living and the dead.
O angels of those who, at this moment, agonise in death, deign
to strengthen, encourage and defend them from the assaults of
our eternal enemies.
Come to our assistance, O faithful guides, you holy spirits,
you adorers of the Blessed Trinity, you angel guardians of all
people! Instruct us in godly love. Teach us how to pray
divinely and with fervour! Lead us in the combat on this earth
so that, at the end of this life, we may reach Heaven and praise
God in bliss for all eternity!

PRAYERS TO OUR HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS

Aspiration to one’s Angel-guardian:
O dearest angel, my guardian, preserve me from the
misfortune of ever offending God!
Memorare to one’s Guardian Angel:
Remember, O most holy angel, that Jesus, the Eternal Truth,
assures us that thou rejoicest more over the conversion of one
sinner than for the perseverance in righteousness of many just.
Therefore, I, the least of creatures, beseech thee to receive me
as thy child and lead me in all virtue that I may become a
cause of thy joy. Reject not this petition, I implore thee, O
blessed spirit, but graciously hear and grant it. Amen.
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St. Gertrude the Great's Prayer of Offering
to one's Holy Guardian Angel
This is an especially wonderful prayer

O most holy angel of God, appointed by Him to be my guardian, I

give thee thanks for all the benefits which thou hast ever bestowed
on me in body and in soul. I praise and glorify thee that thou didst
condescend to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend
me against all the assaults of mine enemies. Blessed be the hour in
which thou wast assigned me for my guardian, my defender and
my patron. In acknowledgement and return of all thy loving
ministries to me from my youth up, I offer thee the infinitely
precious and noble Heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey thee
henceforward, and most faithfully to serve God. Amen.

Petition to one's Guardian Angel for a Specific Request

O, my guardian angel!, who, by the grace of God, hath charge over
me, who hath assisted me in my needs, who hath consoled me in
my troubles, and who hath continually obtained new favours for
me, I thank thee most sincerely. Gentle guardian, deign to continue
thy gentle care. Defend me, I pray thee, from all mine enemies; put
away from me all occasions of sin; inspire in me obedience to thy
direction and faithfulness in godly amendment of life. Guide thou
me especially in my present trial, whereby [here mention your
petition]. In the presence of Jesus Christ and the whole court of
Heaven, I accept thee as my protector, my defender, my advocate
and my guide. I beseech thee to lead me in all virtue. I pray thee
to enlighten my memory and my understanding, to inspire my will,
and to counsel me in my inclinations and my desires. O holy angel,
I love thee and I wish to love thee for all time. I thank the Lord
exceedingly for the Heavenly gifts with which He hath endowed
thee, for the graces with which He hath sanctified thee, for the
glory with which He hath crowned thee. Vouchsafe to guide and
guard me both now and at the hour of my death. Never leave me
defenceless but conduct me safely into the Heavenly country.
Amen.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving to one's Guardian Angel
O angel of God, my blessed protector, to whose care I have
been committed by my Creator from the beginning of my life,
join with me in thanking Almighty God for having given thee
to me as a friend, an instructor, an advocate and a guardian of
my soul. Deign to accept, O most charitable guide, my fervent
thanksgiving for all that thou hast done for me, particularly for
the charity with which thou didst undertake to accompany me
through life; for the joy in which thou didst exult when I was
purified in the waters of Baptism; and for thine anxious
solicitude in watching over the treasure of mine innocence.
Thou knowest the numberless graces and favours which my
Creator hath bestowed on me through thee, and the many
dangers, both spiritual and temporal, from which thou hast
protected me. Thou knowest how often thou didst deplore my
sins, lead me to repentance, and intercede with God for my
pardon. Ah!, why have I so little merited thy zealous and
continual 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 so pure a spirit as thou art, of
a spirit that hath never sinned? But as my ingratitude and
thoughtlessness have not dissuaded 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, as God Himself hath entrusted thee with the charge of
my soul. Penetrated with sorrow for the small advance I have
made in virtue, though blessed with such a pure example in
thee, and sincerely determined to correspond in future with
thine exertions for my salvation, I most earnestly entreat thee,
O protecting spirit: to persevere in thy efforts for my eternal
interest; to fortify my good resolve and assist me in my
weakness; to shield me from innumerable dangers of the
world; and, by thy powerful prayers, to obtain that my life
should rather be shortened than that I should live to commit
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any 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 enthrone thee forever in
glory. Supplicate to Almighty God that thine own virtues be
implanted in my soul, and that I may earnestly endeavour to
cultivate docility of soul, obedience to the divine will,
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; and perform for my soul that last charitable
office of thy mission by strengthening, encouraging and
supporting me in my last agony; and then, as the Angel
Raphael conducted Tobias safely to his father, do thou, my
good angel and blessed guide, accompany me to Him Who
sent thee, that we may laud and adore Him together, and
trumpet His happy works for all eternity. Amen.

Our Lady, Queen of Angels

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Prepared by the Una Voce Vancouver Island Association (U.V.V.I.A.)
http://latinmassvictoria.com

11 December, 2016. Rev. 0