And another angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.

Choose, therefore, sometimes a quarter of an hour, half an hour, an hour, or more, and, retiring apart, converse at leisure with your good angel. Place your self on your knees before him, prostrate yourself on the ground—for it is well to adopt this practice occasionally when alone; ask his pardon for your ingratitude; beg his holy benediction; say all that a good heart would prompt one to say to a faithful and loving friend.

Speak to him one while of your needs, of your miserable failings, of your temptations, of your weaknesses; at another of Divine love, and of the holy ways which lead to God. Converse with him sometimes concerning the offences which men commit against their Sovereign, and concerning the divine interests of the Adorable Jesus and His most blessed Mother; at other times, consider in detail the obligations you are under to him, his goodness to you, his beauty, his perfections, his admirable qualities. Deal with him as with a kind father, as with a mother all tenderness, a true brother, an incomparable friend, a zealous lover, a vigilant pastor, a charitable guide, the witness of your most important secrets, a learned physician to heal all your sores, an advocate, and a powerful protector, a compassionate judge, a king entirely occupied with your welfare; in voke him in all these characters, and in others which your love will suggest to you. They will serve you as so many considerations which will make you pass your time much more agreeably than with the creatures of earth.

We say that we are dull sometimes, that we have no one to speak to, and nothing to do: well, here is an occupation, here is something for us to do. A nun who had no relations, friends, or acquaintance to visit her, was asked whether, when she saw the other nuns receiving visits, she felt no regret. "Oh, no, indeed!" she replied, " for there is a very delightful person with whom I converse; and when I hear that a sister is summoned to the parlour, forthwith I go and pay him a visit." And when her meaning was not understood, she led the way to an image of a holy angel that was in the convent : " Behold," she said, " my father and my mother, and all my kindred and acquaintance. Hither I come to converse, while my sisters are talking at the grate; and I retire from my interview at least as well satisfied as they."

A person standing at a window which opened upon a public thoroughfare, was struck with a ray of light which sensibly touched his heart : in this heavenly ray he discerned that men lived in an incredible oblivion of the world of grace. Penetrated with this truth, he set himself to listen to what the persons who were passing through the street were talking about ; and he heard not one word of God, or of the things of God. No one spoke except of earth—of fine weather, of eating and drinking, of dress, of horses, and such like things. Oh, how many angels, he said to himself, are passing by here, accompanying these poor people! Is it possible that not one among all this crowd is thinking of these princes of Paradise? This thought affected him much, and then he went to a neighbouring fair, with the object of paying his respects to the angels of the persons who were flocking thither in crowds from all quarters. He sighed when he beheld in so large a gathering so little attention paid to the numerous angels present there. He went from place to place in order to salute them and converse with them. Truly, he exclaimed to himself, here are far other sights to be seen than all the merchandise and rareties of the fair!

This practice is well worthy of our imitation. We are in some town, and are walking through the streets filled with people: Oh, why, then, do we not contemplate interiorly the angels who accompany all this multitude? Why do we not go out sometimes for the mere purpose of conversing with them? You enter a church, or some large assembly: Oh, why do you not raise yourself above the region of sense and contemplate all the holy angels present? You are travelling in company with others; you speak to them, you converse with them: why not also with their guardian angels?

I believe, O holy Angel, that thou art appointed by God Almighty to be my guardian. Wherefore, through Him Who has set thee to this task, I, who am so miserable, so weak, and so unworthy, humbly ask that thou wilt ever and always in this life watch over me; that thou wilt guard me from all evils and ever shield me. And when God shall bid my spirit depart hence, let not the devils have power over it, but do thou gently receive my soul from my body and lovingly bear it into Abraham's bosom, at the bidding and by the help of my Creator, my Saviour, and my God, Who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen..

O my guardian, glorious angel who from among the heavenly hierarchy has been appointed by God as my guardian from the very moment of my birth from the womb: I beseech thee humbly and devotedly that thou thus illuminate, protect and defend me, entrusted to thee, driving far away the enemy who wishes me ill; not only restrain me from evil acts, but mayest thou also urge and induce me toward the good by thy virtue; and by the protection of thy actions mayest thou make me at last a dweller with thee and with those on high. Through Christ our Lord, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, O God, world without end. Amen.

I beseech thee, angelic spirit, to whom I by providence have been entrusted: that thou guard me unceasingly, that thou protect, watch attentively, and defend me from every attack of the devil while I am waking and sleeping, by night and by day; for hours and moments without interruption cherish me and watch over me, and accompany me everywhere I go. Avert from me through the strength of God every temptation of Satan, and that which my merits do not extinguish, by thy prayers hold fast before God, the most merciful judge, so that nothing of a contrary strength may have a place in me. And whenever thou seest me wandering through the steep places of vices, by going through the paths of justice trouble thyself to lead me back to my Redeemer and Creator. And in whatever need or distress thou beholdst me to be, may I feel the help of almighty God approach by means of thy covering over me. I pray thee, my guardian, that, if it can be done, thou makest my end known to me. And when I shall be drawn forth from this body at the command of God, do not allow evil spirits to frighten me or make sport of me, nor allow me to fall into the pit of desperation. And do not abandon me at all until thou hast led me to the sight of almighty God, my creator, in which sight may I, for work and grace and the clemency of God my Father, and thou, as my protection, together with Mary the most blessed mother of God and all the saints forever be joyful and rejoice together with Christ, world without end. Amen.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day [or night] be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Guardian Angel

Guardian angel, From heaven so bright,
Watching beside me, to lead me aright,
Fold thy wings round me, O guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me, of heav’n above.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.

Angel so holy! Whom God sends to me,
Sinful and lowly, My guardian to be;
Wilt thou not cherish The child of thy care?
Let me not perish My trust is thy pray’r.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.

O may I never forget thou art near;
But keep me forever in love and in fear.
Waking and sleeping, in labor and rest,
In thy sweet keeping my life shall be blest.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.

Angel, dear Angel Oh, close by me stay;
Safe from harm shield me, All ill keep away
Then thou wilt lead me When this life is o’er
To Jesus and Mary To praise evermore.
Beautiful angel, My guardian so mild,
Tenderly guide me, For I am thy child.

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp (serves 4)

1 1/2 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined
12 ounces angel hair pasta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. fresh grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving a half a cup of the pasta water. While it's cooking, heat the butter and olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cook until lightly golden and the oil is flavored, then remove the garlic and toss out. Add the shrimp to the garlic oil; sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Cook over medium heat until shrimp is opaque.Take off heat, add the pasta, some reserved pasta water (start with 1/4 cup and see if you need more), zest, and lemon juice and toss.Top with parmesan cheese, and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of parsley to make it pretty. Serve with salad, a good bread, and white wine.


Angel Food Cake

Whites of 9 large eggs (you want 1 1/4 cups of whites), at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup cake flour
1 1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Place oven rack in the lowest position and preheat oven to 350°.

Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.

Mix together the cream of tartar, extracts, salt, and egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time.

Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake until lightly browned and entire top appears dry, 35-40 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, upside-down, for about 1 hour. Run a knife around side and center tube of pan to remove from pan. Top with fruit and whipped cream, or ice with buttercream:


Fluffy Buttercream

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Cream together butter and shortening. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until well blended. Slowly mix in the heavy cream. Once it is fully mixed in, beat for 5-7 minutes. (You can make it a flavored buttercream by mixing in 1/4 cup of pureed strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, or other soft fruit).

Readings

Pope St. Clement
Epistle to the Corinthians, c. A.D. 96

Excerpt from a letter Padre Pio wrote to Anita, one of his spiritual daughters
July 15, 1913