The power of the angels

I am just returning from a retreat at the Benedictine Abbey in Clear Creek, OK. It is not my first time there, and I looked forward to returning, especially during the Octave of Christmas.

On the way to the abbey, my plane from Dallas to Tulsa was slightly delayed so I picked up a bottle of juice and a protein bar. After I finished the juice I noticed that its expiration date was almost a year ago. Uh oh.

By the time I went to bed that evening at the monastery I knew something was wrong. The next morning, I had leg cramps, stomach cramps, nausea and a headache, with all four getting worse by the minute. I spent all day in bed. While I observed my obligatory Office hours I pretty much jettisoned everything else. That night I determined that if I were not showing signs of improvement by morning I would find a way to get to a hospital. I was concerned about getting dehydrated and about being too sick to get home. I also realized that I had not said that day the prayer that I say every day asking the angels to intercede for the success of the Collegium. Before I drifted off I prayed the prayer to the angels, but on this night I asked the angels to intercede for my own healing, hoping that God would not mind if the Collegium were delayed by one day. The next morning I woke with no pain in my legs, no stomach cramps, no nausea and a quickly fading remnant of the headache I had had the night before.

It was poignant – and joyful – reminder of the power with which God entrusts His angels. They are truly mighty creatures: God’s warriors, guardians, messengers. They sing His praises without end and do His bidding swiftly and humbly. They guard each one of us obediently, even though we are “little lower” than are they in the hierarchy of creation. They are powerful intercessors before the throne of God, and the Collegium is fortunate to have such legions as its patrons.

It is the traditional Mass and the faith handed down to us from the Apostles that have the spiritual strength to carry the Church through this time of great challenge. It is the Mass of Christ crucified – Christ Who humbled Himself to take on human flesh and human nature and to Whom the good angels bowed in humble adoration – that will guide us through whatever challenges the Church shall face. It is these same angels, who, while singing the praises of God without end, will also intercede for the Collegium that it be a force for God’s will here on earth so that souls will enjoy His company in heaven with the angels forever.

As you can imagine, there will be those who will not wish the Collegium to succeed. I humbly ask that you pray daily to the angels in heaven that, through the grace of God, the Collegium will overcome whatever obstacles it may face. Here is the prayer that I pray. You are welcome to use it or whatever prayer you wish – but please do pray.

Prayer to the Holy Angels

Bless the Lord, All you His Angels, You who are mighty in strength and do His will. Intercede for me at the throne of God, and by your unceasing watchfulness protect me in every danger of soul and body. Obtain for me the grace of final perseverance, so that after this life I may be admitted to your glorious company and may sing with you the praises of God for all eternity.

O all you holy Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones; Dominions, Virtues and Powers; Principalities, Archangels and Angels; and especially you, my dear Guardian Angel, intercede for me and obtain for me the special favor of the success of the College of the Holy Angels.

(Our Father … 10x – one for each of the orders of angels and one for your guardian angel, that as they intercede for the Collegium, all things will be done according to the will of Our Father in heaven.)

#Prayer #Angels #Intercession