Guardian Angel Prayer
The Guardian Angel Prayer is one of the oldest Catholic prayers, traditionally the first prayer taught to children. It asks your personal guardian angel — assigned to you by God — to light, guard, rule, and guide you through each day.
About the Guardian Angel Prayer
The prayer is attributed to Reginald of Canterbury, writing around 1100 AD. The original Latin — Angele Dei, qui custos es mei — consists of two rhyming couplets, and the English translation preserves the same rhythmic structure. It has been in continuous Catholic use for over 900 years.
Pope Pius V granted an indulgence to those who prayed it morning and evening. The feast of the Holy Guardian Angels is celebrated on October 2. The Catholic Church definitively teaches that every person has a personal guardian angel assigned by God from birth.
When to Pray It
Traditionally prayed in the morning as one of the first prayers of the day. Also appropriate before travel, at the start of a journey, before sleep, or whenever guidance and protection are needed. Parents commonly teach it to children as their first 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.
Attributed to Reginald of Canterbury, c.12th century. Public domain.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Guardian Angel Prayer?
- The Guardian Angel Prayer is a Catholic prayer addressed to your personal guardian angel, asking for guidance and protection. The traditional English form beginning Angel of God, my guardian dear dates to at least the 12th century and is attributed to Reginald of Canterbury.
- When should I say the Guardian Angel Prayer?
- Catholics traditionally pray it in the morning as part of daily prayers. It can also be said before travel, at the start of a new task, before sleep, or any time you feel the need for guidance and protection.
- Is the Guardian Angel Prayer in the Bible?
- The prayer itself is not in Scripture, but belief in guardian angels is rooted in the Bible. Psalm 91:11 states He commands his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, and Matthew 18:10 refers to the angels of children always beholding the face of the Father in heaven.
- Is there a Guardian Angel Prayer in Spanish?
- Yes. The Spanish form begins Ángel de Dios, mi querido custodio... Use the EN/ES toggle on this page to switch between English and Spanish.
- When is the feast day of the Guardian Angels?
- The Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels is celebrated on October 2. Pope Pius V granted an indulgence to those who prayed the Guardian Angel Prayer morning and evening throughout the year.
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