SS. ANGELORUM CUSTODUM

 

 

Ad Officium lectionis: saec. XV (alternative hymn: Custodes hominum)

 

Ætérne rerum cónditor,

qui mare, solum, æthera

gubérnas, iustus rédditor

cunctis secúndum ópera,

 

Supérbum qui iam spíritum

eiúsque cunctos cómplices

condémnans in intéritum,

veros firmásti súpplices,

 

Precámur te fidéntius,

hos defensóres dírige,

nobis per quos propítius

salútis dona pórrige.

 

Nos consolándo vísitent,

purgent, inflámment, dóceant,

ad bona semper íncitent,

vim dæmonum coérceant.

 

O angelórum glória,

secúro gressu pérgere

fac horum nos custódia,

ut te possímus cérnere.

 

Sint, angelórum Dómine,

honóris tibi cántica,

qui miro præbes órdine

illis nobísque cælica. Amen.

 

 

Eternal Creator of all, who governs the sea, the sun, the sky, you who justly rewards all men according to their works, You condemn to destruction the proud spirit and all this accomplices, but strengthen the truly humble. We faithfully pray to you, send to us these defenders, through whom graciously grant the gifts of salvation.  May they visit us with consolation, purify us, inflame, teach us, arouse us always to seek the good, may they stop the power of demons.  O glory of the angels, make our path secure, grant that they may guard us, that we may see you. O To you, O Lord of the angels, be our song of praise, who in wonderful order make the heavenly places for us and them. Amen.

 

 

Ad Laudes matutinas: saec. XVI-XVII

 

Orbis patrátor óptime,

quæcúmque sunt qui déxtera

magna creásti, nec regis

minóre providéntia,

 

Adésto supplicántium

tibi reórum cœtui,

lucísque sub crepúsculum

lucem novam da méntibus.

 

Tuúsque nobis ángelus,

signátus ad custódiam,

hic adsit, a contágio

qui críminum nos prótegat.

 

Nobis dracónis æmuli

calúmnias extérminet,

ne rete frauduléntiæ

incáuta nectat péctora.

 

Metum repéllat hóstium

nostris procul de fínibus;

pacem secúndet cívium

fugétque pestiléntiam.

 

Deo Patri sit glória,

qui, quos redémit Fílius

et Sanctus unxit Spíritus,

per ángelos custódiat. Amen.

 

 

O great Creator of the world, who made with your mighty right hand whatever exists, and no less rules all things in your providence, be present with this assembly who prays to you and when the evening of light comes, grant a new light to our minds. May your angel assigned to guard us be present to protect us from the corruption of sin.  May he destroy the slanders of the envious serpent that our incautious hearts might not be caught in his web of deceit. May he repel far from our borders all fear of the enemy; promote peace among citizens and put to flight all pestilence. To God the Father be glory, who through his angels guards those whom the Son has redeemed and the Holy Spirit has anointed. Amen.

 

 

 

CREATOR of the circling sky,

Who madest all by power most high,

Thy Providence will never cease

To rule thy works in might and peace.

 

Be present when we cry to thee,

A sinful people though we be;

And as the day-dawn grows apace

Illume our minds with light of grace.

 

O send thine Angel thitherward

Assigned by thee to be our guard,

That now his presence may begin

To keep us from all stain of sin.

 

Let him destroy that hidden snare

The eager serpent doth prepare,

Lest we be taken in the net

Before our heedless bosoms set.

 

At his command let every fear

Of hostile foemen disappear ;

Let civil strife give way to peace,

And pestilence and famine cease.

 

To God the Father glory be;

For those the Savior setteth free,

Anointed by the Holy Ghost,

Are guarded by the Angel host. Amen

 

 

 

Ad II Vesperas: Bellarminus?

 

Custódes hóminum psállimus ángelos,

natúræ frágili quos Pater áddidit

cæléstis cómites, insidiántibus

  ne succúmberet hóstibus.

 

Nam quod corrúerit próditor ángelus,

concéssis mérito pulsus honóribus,

ardens invídia péllere nítitur

  quos cælo Deus ádvocat.

 

Huc, custos, ígitur pérvigil ádvola,

avértens pátria de tibi crédita

tam morbos ánimi quam requiéscere

  quicquid non sinit íncolas.

 

Sanctæ sit Tríadi laus pia iúgiter,

cuius perpétuo númine máchina

triplex hæc régitur, cuius in ómnia

  regnat glória sæcula. Amen.

 

We sing of the angels, the guardians of men, whom the Father gave as heavenly companions to our frail nature, that we might not succumb to the plots of our enemies. For, when the traitor angel fell, he rightly lost the honors which had been given to him, burning with envy he strived to repel those who God calls to heaven. Therefore, ever-vigilant guardian and turn away from the land entrusted to you sickness of soul and whatever will not let the people live in peace. Loving praise be ever given to the Trinity, who by his eternal will the threefold fabric of the world is ruled and by whose glory he governs all ages. Amen.

 

THE Guardians of our race, our Angel Guides we   hail;

Our Father sendeth forth to aid our nature frail

These heavenly friends, lest we should suffer overthrow

Through cunning of our subtle foe.

 

FOR he, who justly lost the honor once his own,

The traitor angel, rues his lost and vacant throne,

With burning envy strives to make them fall away

Whom God doth call to

heavenly day.

 

THEN, watchful Guardian, spread thy wings and cleave the air,

Haste hither to our home committed to thy care;

Drive thence each noxious ill that might the soul infest,

Nor suffer danger here to rest.

 

NOW to the holy Three your praise devoutly pour;

HIS glorious Godhead guides and governs evermore

This triple frame: to him ascribe we all our praise

Who reigns through everlasting days. Amen.