Guardian Angels and Rosaries

On a run the other morning, a shadow was cast in a street light as I ran across a bridge. For a few moments there were two of me running. I thought of my guardian angel. The day before, I had listened to the Daily Rosary podcast. My friend Lori suggested this podcast a few months ago, and though I don’t listen all that regularly, it is fair to say I am paying more attention to the rosary than I have in decades, pun intended.

What I appreciate about the podcast is that between each decade of the rosary, a theme is discussed. The theme was angels the other day. I learned a lot. One thing that landed was that our guardian angels, here to support us, can’t predict the future or read our thoughts. They are walking with us, not in front of us. They bring light and guidance to our path, but we are the ones who choose our paths and change them. (My simple interpretation, but it works for me.)

I find comfort in considering my guardian angel being with me, and I am reminded of this prayer I knew by heart as a child:

The Guardian Angel Prayer

"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, Rule and guide.

Amen."

Having something outside of ourselves/beyond ourselves to believe in is what faith is all about. Today, I like to think of that higher source as not only beyond me, but also within me. A guardian angel is both, when I am tapped in and trusting my Higher Power and myself. I hadn’t really thought about angels in a long time. Thanks for that suggestion months ago Lori! Every time I have listened to the rosary recently, I have been heartened and fortified by it. And also informed.

I was informed of many things as I grew up Catholic and attended Catholic grade school. I was taught much and admittedly retained far less. But it is never too late to learn or relearn. My mom modeled Catholic faith for my family in many ways, including the rosary. We would say a decade for safe travels whenever we were in the car for more than a short trip to town. We would say a decade on some special occasions like Christmas, before any gifts got opened. My mom was sometimes the one leading the recitation of the rosary before Sunday Mass.

When Mom went into the nursing home in 2017, she joined others for daily rosary in the front lobby. One day in 2018, I arrived for a visit as they were getting started. I sat by Mom and joined in. I felt her faith and mine flow together. Mom can’t hold a rosary in her hands anymore, and she doesn’t speak the words of the prayers anymore either. But I believe her many decades of saying many decades of the rosary have brought her much strength and peace.

I captured this picture on that day in 2018. Thanks Mom for your faith. It took me too long to fully appreciate it, but I do now.

Thanks Lori, Mom, my guardian angel. Onward, with faith.