To Light and Guard, to Rule and Guide

Here is the favorite old picture of a guardian angel and the favorite old prayer to one's guardian angel, whose feast is today, October 2:

The Guardian Angel Prayer
(in Latin and English)

"Angele Dei,
qui custos es mei,
me tibi commíssum pietáte supérna,
illúmina, custódi, rege et gubérna.
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."

The feast dates from 1411, when in Valencia, Spain, it was introduced in honor of the guardian angel of that city. It was added to the Roman Calendar in 1608. Devotion to the guardian angels, however, dates back much further.

Image:
Leiber's "Guardian Angel", from Wikimedia Commons. In the public domain.