The Guardian Angel Prayer, also called the Angel of God prayer, is often one of the first prayers Catholic children learn. It asks the angel God has given us to watch over and guide us.
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.
At night, many people pray "ever this night be at my side."
When to Pray It
- In the morning, to begin the day
- At night, before sleep
- Before travel, school, or work
- Anytime you need protection or guidance
It is a beautiful prayer to teach children and to pray with them at bedtime.
What the Church Teaches About Guardian Angels
The Church teaches that every person has a guardian angel who protects and guides them from the beginning of life until death (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 336).
Scripture speaks of these angels:
- "For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways." (Psalm 91:11)
- Jesus said of children, "their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Guardian Angels every October 2.
What It Means
The prayer asks four things of our guardian angel:
- To light: to help us see what is good and true
- To guard: to protect us from harm in body and soul
- To rule: to help us govern ourselves well
- To guide: to lead us on the way to heaven
In Latin (Angele Dei)
Angele Dei, qui custos es mei, me tibi commissum pietate superna, hodie illumina, custodi, rege et guberna. Amen.