prayer to your holy guardian angel
A Very Powerful Holy Guardian Angel Novena Prayer
Written by Saint John Bosco for the Boys of His Oratory
1. My Guardian Angel, you who has not forgotten to take such great care of me, a sorry sinner: Oh! do you, I pray thee, strengthen my soul with a living faith, steadfast hope, and burning charity; so that, despising the world, I may desire to love and serve my God alone!
Pray 3 times: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen.
Pray 3 times: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
2. Most noble prince of the Heavenly court, who hast stooped to take such great care of this poor soul of mine, defend it from the snares and assaults of the devil, that I may never again offend my Lord!
Pray 3 times: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen.
Pray 3 times: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
3. Most glorious spirit, who with diligent kindness does tirelessly occupy yourself with the welfare of my soul, obtain for me the grace that I may be ever devoted to you, and that I may always be faithful in carrying out all that you will suggest to me in my heart.
Pray 3 times: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen.
Pray 3 times: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
4. Most merciful guardian of my soul, you have so many times humbled yourself in coming from Heaven to earth in order to exercise your ministry for the benefit of such a sinner as I! Grant that I, too, may acquire a true spirit of humility. And may I be fully convinced that by myself I can do nothing, save with your powerful aid and the grace of my Lord.
Pray 3 times: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen.
Pray 3 times: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
5. Most gracious spirit, who does exert so much effort and care for the salvation of my soul, obtain for me from Our Lord, that at the end of my life, in the care of your defense, my soul may in that moment pass from your hands into the most loving embrace of my Jesus!
Pray 3 times: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen.
Pray 3 times: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Final Prayer: Because, my most gracious Guardian, all that you do for me is directed solely to the salvation of my soul: Oh! I beg you, when I am on my death bed and deprived of all my senses, immersed in the sorrow of my affliction; when my soul is about to separate from my body to appear before it’s Creator; defend my soul from it’s enemies, that rising victorious, it may be conducted by you to enjoy forever the glory of Paradise! So be it. Amen.
"When sorrows and misfortunes, physical or spiritual, afflict you, turn to your Guardian Angel with strong trust and he will help you." Saint John Bosco
"My children, jump, run and play and make all the noise you want but avoid sin like the plague and you will surely gain Heaven."
The great Saint John Bosco was born in Italy in 1815. His dad died when John was only two years old, leaving his mom, "Mamma Margaret," to raise three boys all by herself. In his youth, John worked as a shepherd and also added any odd job he could find to help his family.
Jesus communicated with John in a way that was not the way He commonly communicates with us. He sent Heavenly messages to John through dreams. John understood through his dreams that God wanted him to work with young people, especially very poor children. Even as a young man, John attracted hundreds of young boys to meet together, pray together and learn their catechism lessons together. To keep their attention, John would often juggle or do slight-of-hand tricks for the boys. He would then explain hard to understand homilies that the priests had given at Sunday Masses. As word spread about John, even adults would come and listen to him.
John entered the seminary and in 1841 he was ordained a priest. He then opened a boarding house for poor boys with "Mamma Margaret" by his side to help him. Besides teaching the boys the truths of their Catholic faith, he also taught them trades such as shoemaking, printing, and bookbinding. As other priests came to help him, the foundation was laid for the first home for boys. Father Bosco's important work spread and soon many more schools and workshops were opened.
In 1868, Father built a magnificent Church dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians. Pope Pius IX approved his order that is officially called the "Society of St. Francis de Sales" or the "Salesians" as they are better known. Soon an order for women was also founded called "Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians."
At the time of Father's death in 1888, there were about 1,000 Salesian priests working in 250 houses of the Salesian Society all over the world. Today there are over 14,000 members working in over 1,700 Salesian houses, helping and teaching children all over the world!
Saint John Bosco, pray for us!
