Today, October 1st is the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Tomorrow, October 2nd is the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels.

In 1608, Pope Paul V authorized a feast in honor of the Guardian Angels.

In 1670, Pope Clement X assigned the feast to October 2nd and extended it to the Universal Church.

In 1883, Pope Leo XIII elevated the date to a double major feast.

In honor of the feasts, I’ll share a poem St. Thérèse wrote to her guardian angel.

It comes from Poems of St. Teresa, Carmelite of Lisieux known as the ‘Little Flower of Jesus’ and was written in February 1897.

It’s a beautiful poem that helps us to contemplate and honor our own angel, who is always present and trying to guide us to heaven.

Be sure to pray to your guardian angel every day!

To My Angel Guardian

by St. Thérèse of Lisieux

O glorious guardian of my frame!
In heaven’s high courts thou shinest bright,
As some most pure and holy flame,
Before the Lord of endless light.
Yet for my sake thou com’st to earth,
To be my brother, Angel dear:
My friend and keeper from my birth,
By day and night to me most near.

Knowing how weak a child am I,
By thy strong hand thou guidest me;
The stones that in my pathway lie,
I see thee move them carefully.
Ever thy heavenly tones invite
My soul to look to God alone;
And ever grows thy face more bright,
When I more meek and kind have grown.

O thou who speedest through all space More swiftly than the lightnings fly!
Go very often, in my place,
To those I love most tenderly.
With thy soft touch, oh! dry their tears;
Tell them the cross is sweet to bear;
Speak my name softly in their ears,
And Jesu’s name, supremely fair.

Through all my life, though brief it be,
I fain would succor souls from sin.
Dear Angel, sent from heaven to me, Kindle thy zeal my heart within!
Naught but my holy poverty,
And daily cross to give have I;
O join them to thine ecstasy,
And offer them to God on high.

Thine are heaven’s glory and delight,
The riches of the King of kings;
The Host in our ciboriums bright
Is mine, and all the wealth pain brings.
So with the Cross, and with the Host,
And with thine aid, dear Angel Friend,
I wait in peace, on time’s dark coast, Heaven’s happiness that knows no end.

---

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us!

Our Guardian Angels, pray for us!