Novena for the Feast of the Guardian Angels

O PURE and happy spirits, whom the Almighty selected to become the angels and guardians of men, I most humbly prostrate before you to thank you for the charity and zeal with which you execute this commission. Alas! how many pass a long life without ever thanking that invisible friend to whom they a thousand times owed its preservation. O charitable guardians of those souls for whom Christ died! O burning Spirits, who cannot avoid loving those whom Jesus eternally loved, permit me to address you on behalf of all those committed to your care, and to implore for them all in general a grateful sense of your many favours, and also the grace to profit of your charitable assistance. O angels of those happy infants, who as yet “are without spot before God,” preserve their innocence, I earnestly conjure you. Angels of youth, who are exposed to so many dangers, conduct them safely to the bosom of God, as Tobias was conducted back to his father. Angels of those who employ themselves in the instruction of youth, animate them with your zeal and love; teach them to emulate your purity and incessant view of God, that they may worthily and successfully co-operate with the invisible guardians of their young charge. O angels of the clergy, “who have the eternal Gospel to preach to them that sit upon earth,” present their words, their actions, and their intentions to God, and purify them in that fire of love which consumes you. Angels of infidels whom the true faith has never enlightened, intercede for them, that, practising what they know, they may at length discover the hidden secrets of the kingdom of God. O angels of all those who throughout the world are deprived of religious instruction, open for them some source of salvation; raise up someone to break for them the bread of the word. And you, O guardian angels of sinners charitable guides of those unhappy mortals, whose perseverance in sin would embitter even your unutterable joys, were you not established in the peace of God, oh! join me, I ardently beseech you, in imploring their conversion. Angels of all those who at this moment struggle in the agonies of death, strengthen, encourage, and defend them against the attacks of their infernal enemy. O faithful guides, holy spirits, ardent adorers of the Divinity, guardian angels of all creatures, protect us all—teach us to love, to pray, to combat on earth, and rather obtain for us instant death, than permit us to commit one mortal sin. Amen.