Angelic Prayer

Many of us believe in Guardian Angels and we should because the are very real and with us at all times. This is very comforting that God assigned an specific angel to each and everyone of us at the time of our inception. They are there to help light our path to God. We just need to engage in a relationship with them. Like any relationship we must interact on a regular basis. And like any good friend we can ask for their help. In doing so we should thank them as well. And this prayer from Ste. Gertrude does just that.

So let’s dive into this Angelic Prayer.

O most holy angel of God, appointed by God to be my guardian, I give you thanks for all the benefits which you have ever bestowed on me in body and in soul. I praise and glorify you that you condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assaults of my enemies. Blessed be the hour in which you were assigned me for my guardian, my defender and my patron. In acknowledgement and return for all your loving ministries to me, I offer you the infinitely precious and noble heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey you henceforward, and most faithfully to serve my God.
Amen

Sometimes for me, these prayers can have some challenging words and phrases in them. For instance, when it say “you condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity”. What this is say is the the angel took action that was beneath him or below his standing with loyalty, faithfulness, and commitment to us. Also, in it St. Gertrude offers up the heart of Jesus to the angel. Well since Christ has given us his heart, it is our prerogative to offer it to anyone else. So we can truly bless others with the gift of Jesus.

Now a little about St. Gertrude. Saint Gertrude the Great, was born in 1256 and died in 1301. She is considered one of the most provocative spiritual writers in the long and rich history of the Church. When just a child, she was placed in the care of Benedictine nuns, perhaps because of her parents’ early deaths. Gertrude, known for being charming and able to win people over, entered the Benedictine Order at Helfta and became a nun. She devoted herself to her studies, and received an education in many different subjects. Gertrude was both fluent in Latin and very familiar with scripture and works from the Fathers of the Church, including St. Augustine.

In 1281, 25-year-old Gertrude experienced her first series of visions that would continue until the day she passed away. Her visions altered her life and she saw this moment as her new birth. Her priorities turned away from secular teachings and focused more on studying Scripture and theology. Her life became full with this awakening and she was an enthusiastic student, writing for the spiritual benefit of others.

She went on to become one of the great mystics of the 13th century. Along with St. Mechtilde, she practiced what is known as "nuptial mysticism," seeing herself as the bride of Christ. She embraced charity for both rich and poor, she was a simple woman with a deep solidarity with those not yet ready for the beatific vision, who are still being purified in the state of repose known as purgatory.

Throughout her life, Gertrude produced numerous writings, although only a few still exist today. One of her longest surviving works is The Herald of Divine Love. Her other standing works include, her collection of Spiritual Exercises and Gertrudian Prayers.

If you want to learn more about St. Gertrude the Great click on the links in the notes.

Like always, thank you for praying with me today. I hope this has touched your heart in a blessed way.

Finally, please like, share, subscribe, and comment below.

I love you and have a blessed week.

References:
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=424
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1255
https://aleteia.org/2018/10/02/here-is-a-powerful-guardian-angel-prayer-written-by-st-gertrude-the-great/
https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/november-16-saint-gertrude-the-great-virgin/