Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
O Holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, hath charged with the care of my conduct; thou who dost assist me in all my wants and dost console me in all my afflictions; thou who dost support me when I am discouraged and dost obtain for me new favors; I return thee now my most sincere and humble thanks, and I conjure thee, O amiable guide, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of my enemies. Keep me from all occasion of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully reducing them to practice. In fine, I beseech thee to guard and protect me at the hour of my death, and to conduct me to the glorious mansions of everlasting bliss. Amen.
Jour 1 : The Constant Presence of our Guardian Angel
Méditation
Consider that God has given thee a Guardian Angel, a blessed spirit from the highest choirs of heaven, to be thy companion and guide throughout thy whole life. From the first moment of thy existence, he hath been with thee, and he will not depart from thee until thy soul is presented for judgment. He beholds the face of thy Heavenly Father, and yet his gaze is ever fixed upon thee. How great is the goodness of God, to give to each of us so noble a prince of heaven for a guardian! Let us resolve to honour him, to love him, and to obey his holy inspirations.
Prière du jour
O most faithful companion, appointed by God to be my guardian, I thank thee for thy charity and vigilance. I am ashamed to appear before thee, who art so pure, whilst I am so stained with sin. I beseech thee, obtain for me the grace of a true sorrow for my offenses, and a firm purpose of amendment. Help me to begin this novena with a fervent spirit, that I may worthily honour thee and secure thy powerful protection. Amen.
Jour 2 : Our Guardian Angel, our Protector
Méditation
Consider how our good Angel doth preserve us from a thousand dangers to body and soul, which we do not see. He defends us from the evil spirits, who would otherwise have a far greater power over us. He turns aside the temptations of the devil, or gives us the strength to overcome them. How many times have we been preserved from a sudden death, or from a grievous accident, by his charitable intervention? Let us be ever grateful for so great a benefactor, and place our full trust in his unceasing protection.
Prière du jour
O most vigilant protector, who dost ever watch over my soul and my body, I thank thee for having delivered me from the many perils from which I could not have saved myself. I beseech thee, continue to protect me from the snares of the devil, from the dangers of the world, and from the weakness of my own flesh. Instill in me a holy fear of God, and a great horror for all sin, that I may never displease thee nor my Creator. Amen.
Jour 3 : Our Guardian Angel, our Guide
Méditation
Consider that our Guardian Angel is also our guide and teacher. He enlightens our minds, that we may know the will of God. He speaks to our hearts through holy inspirations, suggesting good thoughts and pious desires. He guides our steps in the path of virtue and warns us when we stray towards the precipice of sin. If we but listen to his gentle voice, we shall never wander from the straight way that leads to eternal life. Let us resolve to be docile and attentive to his holy counsels.
Prière du jour
O wisest of guides, who dost unceasingly show me the path of salvation, I humbly ask thy pardon for my deafness to thy holy inspirations. Too often have I followed my own will and the deceits of the world. Grant me, I pray thee, a docile heart and an attentive spirit, that I may henceforth follow thy counsels with exactness, and walk securely in the way of God’s commandments. Amen.
Jour 4 : Reverence for our Guardian Angel
Méditation
Consider the deep reverence we owe to our Guardian Angel. He is a spirit of the highest nobility, a friend of God, and a citizen of heaven. He is ever in our presence, a witness to our most secret thoughts, words, and actions. How careful should we be, then, to do nothing in his sight that might offend his purity or cause him sorrow! Let us cultivate a spirit of profound respect for this heavenly prince, and strive to live in a manner worthy of his holy company.
Prière du jour
O holy Angel, my august guardian, I venerate thee as a prince of the heavenly court. I am humbled by thy constant presence. Forgive me for the many times I have forgotten thy presence and have sinned before thee. Grant me the grace to have a continual and reverent awareness of thee, so that I may fear to displease thee and may strive in all things to imitate thy purity and obedience to God. Amen.
Jour 5 : Our Guardian Angel, our Intercessor
Méditation
Consider that our Guardian Angel is a powerful intercessor for us before the throne of God. He carries our prayers, our works, and our desires to the feet of the Almighty, and he presents them perfumed with his own merits. He sees our needs and our weaknesses, and he ceases not to implore for us the graces necessary for our salvation. What a consolation to know that we have such a powerful friend in heaven, who pleads our cause with unceasing charity! Let us unite our prayers with his, that they may be more worthy of being heard.
Prière du jour
O most powerful advocate, who dost present my poor prayers before the throne of the Most High, I place all my trust in thy charitable intercession. Obtain for me, I beseech thee, not what my self-love may desire, but what is most conducive to the glory of God and the salvation of my soul. Present my needs to the Lord, especially the grace I seek in this novena (mention your request), and obtain for me a perfect resignation to His holy will. Amen.
Jour 6 : The Patience of our Guardian Angel
Méditation
Consider the patience of our Guardian Angel. For years he has borne with our infidelities, our negligences, and our relapses into sin. He has seen our pride, our vanity, our impurity, and our want of charity. Yet, he has not abandoned us. His love is more constant than that of the most tender mother. He continues to exhort us, to protect us, and to love us, hoping always for our conversion. How can we fail to be moved by such long-suffering charity? Let us resolve to grieve him no more by our sins.
Prière du jour
O Angel of peace, mirror of patience, I am confounded by thy long-suffering with my many faults. How often have I wearied thee with my inconstancy! I detest my sins, which have so often grieved thy loving heart. Obtain for me the grace of true perseverance in good, that I may at last console thee by a life wholly consecrated to the service of God, and so repay, in some small measure, thy heroic patience. Amen.
Jour 7 : Our Guardian Angel, our Helper in Combat
Méditation
Consider that our Guardian Angel is our helper in the spiritual combat. Life is a warfare, and our enemies are the devil, the world, and our own passions. We are weak, but our Angel is strong. He is a mighty warrior, who fights by our side against the powers of darkness. He encourages us when we are faint of heart, strengthens us in temptation, and helps us to rise after we have fallen. With such a champion at our side, we need never fear. Let us invoke him with confidence in all our struggles.
Prière du jour
O invincible warrior, who didst cast down the proud spirits in the first great battle, come to my aid in the continual combat I must wage against my spiritual foes. Clothe me with the armor of God, and teach me to wield the sword of the Spirit. In every temptation, be thou my strength and my shield, that through thee I may achieve victory and merit an eternal crown. Amen.
Jour 8 : Our Guardian Angel, our Comforter
Méditation
Consider our Guardian Angel as our consoler in affliction. In times of sorrow, desolation, and trial, when all earthly friends fail us, our Guardian Angel remains. He knows our griefs, and he shares them with a compassionate heart. He whispers words of comfort to our soul, reminding us of God’s providence, of the merits of suffering, and of the eternal joys that await us. He is the friend who never forsakes us, the comforter sent from heaven. Let us turn to him in all our tribulations.
Prière du jour
O most loving comforter, who didst strengthen our Lord in His agony in the garden, behold the sorrows of my heart. In my moments of darkness and desolation, be thou my light and my support. Remind me that God is my Father and that every cross is a pledge of His love. Obtain for me the grace to bear my trials with patience and to unite them with the sufferings of Christ for the salvation of my soul and the souls of others. Amen.
Jour 9 : Our Guardian Angel at the Hour of Death
Méditation
Consider the final and most important service our Guardian Angel will render us: his assistance at the hour of our death. In that terrible moment, when the devil will make his last and most furious assault, our faithful guardian will be there to defend us. He will strengthen our faith, fortify our hope, and enkindle our charity. He will receive our last breath and will carry our soul, if it be worthy, to the bosom of God, there to begin an eternity of bliss. Let us pray now that he may be our protector in that final hour.
Prière du jour
O faithful guide, who hast accompanied me through all the days of my life, abandon me not in my final hour. When my eyes grow dim and my heart grows faint, be thou at my side. Defend me from the last attacks of the enemy, present to me the saving merits of Jesus Christ, and receive my soul into thy blessed hands. Lead me from this land of exile to our true home in heaven, that I may with thee, and all the angels and saints, praise our merciful God for ever and ever. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding 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.
O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, to whose care I have been committed by the supreme clemency, enlighten, guard, protect, and govern me. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.