Prayers · Guardian Angels

Blessing by the Guardian Angel on a journey — with Ps 90

Before beginning a journey — by road, by sea, by air — the Christian asks for the special protection of his Guardian Angel, according to the ancient practice of the Church gathered in the prayer Itinerarium (already in Occasional, with the canticle of Zechariah). This specific prayer accompanies the request for angelic protection on a journey with the Psalm 90 (Vulgate numbering, 91 in the Hebrew numbering) — the Psalm of the protection of the Most High, in which it is promised: «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 90:11-12; cf. Mt 4:6, where the devil cites this same Psalm to Jesus). It is the Psalm of the Church for every danger of the way — used at Compline on Sundays, on Ash Wednesday, in the Season of Lent, and in the liturgy of the blessing of travellers.

(Before setting out on a journey, kneel or recollect for a moment:)

Holy Guardian Angel, who have from divine Providence the mission to accompany me not only in the daily life of the home but also on the roads: go before me on this journey which I now begin.

Defend me from the dangers of the road (of the sea, of the air) — accidents, breakdowns, robberies, sudden illnesses, evil encounters. Suggest to my prudent driving what I must do at each moment. Watch over those who travel with me. Watch also over those who remain at home, awaiting my return. And, if it be the will of the Father that I should not return from this journey — because he calls me to his Kingdom along the road I travel — prepare my soul for the passage with the grace of final contrition.

Psalm 90 (Vulgate 90 / Hebrew 91), verses of angelic protection:

«Qui habitat in adiutorio Altissimi, in protectione Dei caeli commorabitur.»

He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High shall abide under the protection of the God of Heaven… 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 90:1,11-12).

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Own composition in the form of a devotional pre-journey prayer; citation Psalm 90:1,11-12 (Vulgata Clementina + Douay-Rheims, public domain); reference to the Itinerarium of the Rituale Romanum 1614 (already present in Occasional, Phase 2d); citation Mt 4:6 where the devil cites this same Psalm to Jesus (idem Vulgata)

Ecclesiastical approval: Psalm 90 (91) in official liturgical use at Compline on Sunday and in the blessings of journey of the Rituale Romanum; Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 336 on the Guardian Angels; Itinerarium of the Rituale Romanum 1614 as the official prayer of travellers; universal commendation of the Church to invoke angelic protection before journeys (Benedict XVI in catechesis on the Angels, 2008)

← Back to prayer index