The Glories of the Holy Angels
Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux
OCTOBER TWELFTH.
The Angels of the Ancient People of God.
Let us this day venerate the Angels who guarded the ancient people of God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, were often favoured with their visits. It was one of these blessed Spirits who gave the law on Mount Sinai, and conducted the Israelites through the desert, in the pillar of a’cloud. The Saints of those times were so convinced of their continual protection, that even when they gave no sensible proof of their presence, they attributed to them the success of their affairs. “ It is the Angel of the Lord’ said they, “ who hath done this.”
Practice—The “ Benedicite,” in thanksgiving for this protection of the Angels.
Asp.—Holy Angels ! “ leaders of the house of Israel,” intercede for us.
OCTOBER THIRTEENTH.
The Angels who adored Jesus at the moment of his Incarnation and Nativity.
Let us this day venerate the Angels who adored Jesus at the moment of his Incarnation, and when he appeared in the flesh. No sooner did he assume our nature, at Mary’s Fiat, than her chamber is filled with troops innumerable of these blessed Spirits, all vying with each other in adoring the Son, and in greeting the Mother; and on that ever blessed night, when he appeared wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger, they again descend and rend the air with “Glory be to God on high, and peace on earth to men of good will.”
Practice—In honour of these Angels the “ Gloria in excelsis,” and hymn “Alma Redemptoris.”
Asp.—Glory be to God—honour to the Angels, and peace to men of good will!
OCTOBER FOURTEENTH.
Let us this day venerate the Angels who ministered to Jesus Christ after his fast in the desert.
The time being come in which the Saviour of men was to manifest himself to Israel—having prepared for his mission by “a fast of forty days and forty nights, he was,” says the Evangelist, “ afterwards hungry, and Angels came and ministered to him.” Happy—thrice happy Spirits! whom the Lord of Heaven and Earth—“he who gives food to the raven, when her young ones cry for meat—who opens his hand, and fills every living creature,” permitted to minister to him in his necessities. It rests with us to be sharers in their happiness, for Jesus is still upon earth, in the persons of his poor—and what we do for them, he considers as done for himself.
Practice—Give some alms in the spirit of these Angels ministering to our Lord.
Asp.—Holy Angels, ministering spirits to Jesus Christ, intercede for us.
