Prayer to the Guardian Angel
Traditional prayer of the Church. · The rights holder named on the source
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Angel of God
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.
Latin text
Angele Dei
Angele Dei,
qui custos es mei,
Me tibi commissum pietate superna;
(Hodie, Hac nocte) illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna.
Amen.
Meaning in brief
This prayer addresses the guardian angel whom God sends to each person and asks the angel to be at our side, to light, guard and guide us throughout the day. It echoes the promise of Psalm 91:11: "For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go."
Intentions and hope
Catholics pray it to ask for companionship and protection in daily activities, while traveling, or when feeling afraid and alone. It is also a simple way to give thanks for God's care and to open one's heart to his guidance.
When and how to pray
- Pray it in the morning before starting the day's activities, or at night before going to sleep.
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross, then say the prayer calmly, kneeling, sitting or standing.
- Parents can pray it with their children at bedtime; the prayer is short and easy for children to learn by heart.
- The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels on October 2 is a fitting day to pray it in a special way.
Where it comes from
History
The Latin prayer Angele Dei has long been linked with Saint Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033–1109), because it appears in medieval collections of his works. [4]
However, the prayer was added to the collection of Anselm's works only after his death. It is best understood as an adaptation of a prayer in verse to the guardian angel found in the Life of Saint Malchus by Reginald of Canterbury (d. c. 1109). [4][3]
It is not certain whether Reginald himself composed Angele Dei. Whoever composed it clearly knew the Life of Saint Malchus, whose opening address to the angel resembles this prayer. [3]
Sources & version
Text: The rights holder named on the source. Checked word for word against the source on 2026-11-05.
- Angel of God - Prayers - Vatican News
Text taken from www.vaticannews.va
Prayer text © The rights holder named on the source; quoted with attribution and a link (owner decision K2, ADR 0067).
- Liturgical Year : Prayers : Angel of God (Angele Dei)
Latin text from www.catholicculture.org
Latin text quoted with attribution and a link.
- History Behind Angel of God Prayer (Who composed the “Angel of God” Prayer?)
Published by Aleteia
Cited as a factual source; the source text remains its publisher's.
- Angele Dei
Published by Preces Latinae
Cited as a factual source; the source text remains its publisher's.
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