The Annunciation

Today is 9 months before the Feast of the Nativity and we celebrate the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary.

This is one of my favorite songs of the Christmas Season--Gabriel's Message--a Basque Carol. The lyrics are below.



The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

"For lo, a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Poetry Wednesday--Finding Your Angel

This week's poetry Wednesday is a poem of mine entitled Finding Your Angel.  It was written in May of 2009 and is posted in honor of Saturday's feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

Find your angel--
your being of light,
created by God
for infinite praise
of His immeasurable Love. 

Draw strength 
from God's messenger 
poised in flight, 
ever vigilant, 
ready to rescue
on a wing
and a prayer. 

Find your angel.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Ryan Brown

In keeping with our angelic theme, this week's Art and Beauty Tuesday is a beautiful black and white oil painting by Ryan Brown called Praying Angel.

This amazing painting is a study in contrasts.  Done with oils, it is nevertheless black and white.  It is an angel, yet has no wings.  At first glance, it seems to be a painting of a statue, but it is eerily life like.

I think the juxtaposition of opposites in this piece is a way of illustrating the paradox of spirituality.  Happiness is found in letting go, plenty is found in giving away and life is found in death to self.

Scripture Saturday--Guardian Angels

Early October is chock full of important feast days.  Today is the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

Today's scripture is taken from Matthew 18:10:

See that you do not despise one of these little ones,  for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

Guardian angels are something that the Church has believed in since its beginnings. Each of us is assigned a special guardian angel to protect and strengthen us.

We are literally never alone in this world.

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.  I have been feeling, lately, that there is a LOT of spiritual warfare going on right now.  So many people I know are suffering, and have been for the better part of this year.  We need our guardian angels to protect us.

There was a saint, (I think it was Padre Pio) who would ask his guardian angel to go help others.  We can ask our own, and others' angels to protect them. This is especially helpful when we feel that we can not do anything ourselves that would alleviate their pain and struggling.

Angels are all around us.  Everyone is assigned a guardian angel at their conception who stays with them throughout their lives.  Angels are in the direct Presence of God and can call on Him on our behalf to strengthen us in our daily walk.

At Mass, angels surround the altar and worship Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament.  The priest prays, "May your angels take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven."  Our angels rejoice when we are present, worshiping God at Mass.

Guardian Angel Prayer

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

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Come, let us worship the Lord in the presence of the angels. 

--Antiphon from today's morning prayer of the Church.

Today is the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. St. Michael is one of my favorite saints, as both my guys are named after him in one way or the other.  Michael is a very powerful help in spiritual warfare.  His prayer used to be prayed at the end of every Mass.

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, oh prince of the heavenly host, 
by the powe of God, 
cast into Hell, Satan, and all the evil spirits, 
that prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. 

Saint Gabriel is the Angel of the Annunciation.  He comes to Zacharias, husband of Elizabeth, to announce that he and Elizabeth will conceive a son in their old age.  Gabriel then appears to Mary to announce to her that a child she will conceive miraculously will be the Messiah.  Theologians beleive that it was Gabriel who appeared to Joseph in a dream, announcing to him that the Son that Mary was carrying, was going to be the chosen one of God.

Saint Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, sent to heal him from blindness. Theologians also beleive that Raphael is the "angel of the Lord' mentioned in John chapter 5, who descends and stirs the water in the Pool of Bethsaida for healing. He is the patron saint of medical workers.

Gabriel

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Each of us is assigned our own angel by God not only to protect us, but to guide us as well. Our angels rejoice when we follow God's will and weep when we fail. Our angels hover around the altar at Mass and worship God present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Prayer to my guardian angel

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 and rule and guide.

~Amen

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Nine (Monday)

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Nine

Most holy angels, you whose zeal for the interests of God, wherever they need to be defended, carries you through the universe more rapidly than lightning, protect His cause in our souls and in virtue of the Divine Blood, obtain for us the signal grace of final perseverance.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Eight

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Eight

Most noble Archangels, you who under the command of St. Michael, guard and protect the Holy Church, deign to deliver her from internal and external enemies. Watch over the Holy Father, as well as over all the children of the Immaculate Spouse of Christ and in virtue of the Divine Blood obtain for us the grace to live and die in the Faith, Hope and Charity of Holy Church so that we may be eternally united with its august head, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Seven

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Seven
Sovereign Principalities, you who are the princes of nations, we beseech you to guard our country effectively, that it may realize God's designs in its regard. Govern our souls and our bodies, and, in virtue of the Divine Blood, guide us that we may attain eternal life.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Six

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Six

Heavenly Virtues, who watch over the harmony of material creation, you whose name signifies "strength", have pity on us in our weakness, and obtain for us, in virtue of the Divine Blood, the grace to bear with patience, the trials of this life.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Five

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Five

Invincible Powers, whose mission it is to remove obstacles to the Divine Will and to overcome its enemies, defend us against the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, render us victorious in our combats against this triple power.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Four

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Four

Supreme Dominations, you who have the authority over all Angelic Choirs, and are charged with the execution of God's orders, rule over our minds and hearts, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, help us to know and faithfully accomplish the will of God.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Three

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Three

Sublime Thrones, dazzling in your beauty, upon whom rest the Almighty and who convey his commands to the inferior angels, obtain for us in virtue of the Divine Blood, peace with God, with our neighbor and with ourselves.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day 2

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Two

Bright Cherubim, you who are allowed a deeper insight into God's secrets, dispel the darkness of our souls and in virtue of the Divine Blood, give that supernatural light to our eyes that will enable us to understand the truths of salvation.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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

Novena to St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

September 29 is the Feast of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels. Today begins a novena to end on the feast day.

The Archangels are very powerful protectors and intercessors to God. Please join me in this Novena for the protection of our loved ones.

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day One

Ardent Seraphim, you who dwell in the eternal home of love, unceasingly absorbed in the rays of the Sun of Justice, we beg you in virtue of the Divine Blood, to enkindle in our hearts, that holy fire with which you are consumed.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels protect us in our combats that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

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, worth without end.

~Amen.

Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.

I have a story to tell you. The other night, dh and I were coming home from Church, following each other in separate cars. I was in front, in my car, and he was following behind me in his car.

I admit I was going too fast down a country road on our way home when I heard a horn beep. I realized sheepishly that I was indeed going too fast, and thought, "How like dh--he's warning me to watch out for deer."

I hadn't completely formed the thought, when a deer *did* step out into the road and I slowed WAY down, just in time to avoid hitting it.

Afterwards, my dh said, "You did great back there--you slowed right down where you knew there'd be deer."

I said, "Didn't you beep at me to warn me?"

He said he hadn't.

Hmmmm....I wonder what kind of car my guardian angel drives.

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Each and every one of us has a guardian angel given to us by God at our birth. Each little child, each old person, and all the busy men and women in between, whether they believe or not, have their own guardian angel who looks on the very face of God.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 18,

See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

Padre Pio would send his guardian angel on errands of mercy to those in need. If you are worried about someone, ask your guardian angel to say a special prayer to Our Lord for them.

Paul tells us in Hebrews that,

And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us.

Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Saturday is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. St. Michael is a powerful protector against Satan. St. Gabriel is the angel who appeared to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. His words to her have come down through the centuries as the "Hail Mary" and are said by Catholics throughout the world today. St. Raphael appeared to Tobias and healed him and is known as a powerful agent for God's healing.

Prayers for the Feast day
St. Michael's prayer is a very powerful one when you are feeling spiritually attacked and was traditionally said after Mass.

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, Oh Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God, cast in to hell, Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
~Amen

For St. Gabriel, the Angelus is a prayer that retells the story of the Annunciation and reminds us of the source of our salvation.

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

~Amen.

---

Here is a prayer to St. Raphael for healing.

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

~Amen.