Lumen·Lectio
EN / PT
Prayers · Guardian Angels

Morning prayer to the Guardian Angel

Every human soul receives at the moment of Baptism — and according to many Fathers of the Church, already at the instant of conception — a personal Guardian Angel, designated by God to accompany it throughout the whole earthly life until the hour of death, defending it from the assaults of the evil one, enlightening it on the path of good, and offering to God its prayers and merits. The Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 336 teaches, citing St Basil the Great: «Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life» (cf. Adversus Eunomium 3,1). This morning prayer, on awakening, entrusts to the Guardian Angel the day that begins: thoughts, words, deeds, omissions, decisions, encounters, journeys, dangers. It may be combined with the Angele Dei (already in To the Saints).

(On awakening, before rising from bed:)

Good morning, my Holy Guardian Angel, faithful companion whom God from my birth has placed at my side. I bless the heavenly Father for having thought to give me your protection, and I bless your silent fidelity of so many years in my service.

On this day that begins, I offer to you, through your pure hands, that you may present to the Lord:

  • my thoughts, that they may be chaste and true;
  • my words, that they may be just and edifying;
  • my works, that they may have for sole motive the love of God;
  • my omissions, you supplying what I fail to do;
  • the encounters I shall have today, that in each one I may serve the neighbour as Christ;
  • the difficult decisions I shall have to make, that they may be according to the will of the Father;
  • the visible and invisible dangers, that you may keep me from them in time;
  • the temptations of the evil one, that you may combat them and conquer with your help.

Do not tire, Holy Angel, of my bad mood, of my distraction, of my ingratitude. You are mine by the eternal decree of God, and to you I entrust this day — from this morning hour until the moment in which tonight, on retiring, I shall thank you for the day fulfilled.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here: ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

← Back to prayer index