Angels are pure spirits, i.e., they have no bodies. They are immortal and are gifted with a superior intellect and free will. They fulfill a three-fold function: they sing the praises of God; they carry out particular missions for God; they guard the Church, nations, and individuals.

IN HONOR OF ALL THE HOLY ANGELS

Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth we praise and bless Thee not only because Thou hast created the visible world, but also because Thou hast created the heavens and called the numberless spirits into being. Thou didst create them most splendidly, endowing them with power and understanding and pouring out upon them the riches of Thy grace. We praise and thank Thee for having showered Thy graces upon the good angels and rewarded them with eternal glory after the time of their probation. Now they surround Thy throne forever, singing in jubilant accord. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest!0 Eternal God, Thy holy angels serve Thee with constant fidelity and ready obedience. They carry out Thy commands with fervent love and sacred enthusiasm. We thank Thee, O Lord, for the example which Thou hast given us through Thy princes, our holy protectors. We will gladly follow the example they have given us. All you holy angels, intercede for us that we may share in your burning zeal and glowing love. Help us to become worthy messengers and true servants of God, to proclaim His holy will, and to spread the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ. Amen.

IN HONOR OF OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS

The provident God has appointed an angel to guard every soul from the moment of its birth. Our divine Savior referred to this when He said: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones (children); for I tell you their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father in heaven." (Matt. 18:10) It(is entirely fitting, then, that we both thank God for the assistance of His angels and call upon them directly to enlighten and to guard us.

Lord of hosts. Thou didst create us in Thy likeness and hast made of our souls a living temple of the most Holy Trinity. Thou hast given us Thy holy angels to assist, protect, and guide us that we may persevere in Thy grace throughout life s journey. Blessed be Thy Name above all! Holy angels of God, you are the faithful companions of our earthly exile. You conduct us on the way of life as the Angel Raphael accompanied young Tobias on his long and perilous journey. You are ever speaking to our souls and filling our hearts with wholesome thoughts, urging us on to good and warning us against every danger and occasion of sin We have not always listened to your voice, but frequently disregarded your admonitions. Forgive us for our failings and neglect in the past, for we promise in the future to obey you willingly and faithfully, to love you sincerely, and to think of you oftenwith reverence and gratitude. Illustrius angels of God, noble and mighty, you stoop to guard and protectus poor sinners. You know the value of our soulsin the eyes of God. Never permit us to forget that our immortal souls were redeemed by the Blood of Christ. May no stain of evil mar their beauty nor any thought of sin rob us of our dignityas children of God. Above all, keep us from scandal, that we may not become an occasion of sin to others and thus destroy the work which Christ has wrought in their souls by His bitter Passion and Death. O God, who in Thy providence dost vouchsafe to send Thy holy angels to keep watch over us, grant that we may always be defended and shielded by them and rejoice in their fellowship. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE HELP OF THE ANGELS

0 glorious servants of God, surrounding the throne of the Most High, I praise you for that splendor with which God has adorned you so bountifully. To you He granted the grace to remain faithful when Lucifer and his followers rebelled. Implore for me also the grace to persevere in His holy service Glorious lights of heaven, resplendent hosts of the celestial court, protect the Church and lead her to victory over all her enemies. O angelic ministers at the throne of the Most High, conquer all evil and lead the good to victory. Amen.

TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Michael is an archangel and leader of the angels who remained faithful to God. At their head he overcame Lucifer and the bad angels and cast them out of heaven. Many times he has aided those who are faithful to God; he will come again to the aid of the faithful.

O victorious prince, most humble gaurdian of the Church of God and of the faithful souls, who with such clarity and zeal took part in so many conflicts and gained such great victories over the enemy of the conservation and protection of the honor and glory we all owe to God, as well as for the promotion of man's salvation: come, I pray thee, to the assistance of my soul, which continually is besiged with such great peril by its enemies, the flesh , the world, and the devil. And as thou wast a leader for the people of Israel through the desert, so also be my faithful leader and companion through the desert of this world, until thou conduct me safely into the happy land of the living, in that blessed fatherland from which we all are exiles.
SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA

TO SAINT GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL

Gabriel is an archangel whose name means "the Power of God." He appeared to the prophet Daniel (Dan. 8:16;9:21), to the priest Zachary to announce the forthcoming birth of Saint John the Baptist (Luke 1:11, 19), and to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce the birth of Our Savior (Luke 1:26 ff.). 0 angel truly strong, strengthen, guide and protect us, thou who by thy embassy didst usher even God Himself to earth; most strong of all, who, having carried off the spoils and having routed that strongly armed one that for so long a time had exercised his destructive tyranny over us, didst rescue us from slavery and restore us to the liberty of the sons of God!
SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA