Latin · Original
Angele Dei, qui custos es mei, me tibi commissum pietate superna, hodie illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen.
Angele Dei
Angel of God
12th century; in the Roman Breviary by 1670
The traditional prayer to the Guardian Angel — taught to children, recited daily by religious communities.
The Prayer · Multiple Versions
English
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.
Spanish
Ángel de Dios, que eres mi custodio, pues la bondad divina me ha encomendado a ti, ilumíname, guárdame, defiéndeme y gobiérname. Amén.
Italian
Angelo di Dio, che sei il mio custode illumina, custodisci, reggi e governa me che ti fui affidato dalla pietà celeste. Amen.
Portuguese
Santo Anjo do Senhor, meu zeloso guardador, pois que a ti me confiou a Piedade divina, hoje e sempre me governa, rege, guarda e ilumina. Ámen.
French
Ange de Dieu, qui es mon gardien, et à qui j’ai été confié par la Bonté divine, éclaire-moi, défends-moi, conduis-moi et dirige-moi. Amen.
German
Engel Gottes, mein Beschützer, Gott hat dich gesandt, mich zu begleiten. Erleuchte, beschütze, leite und führe mich. Amen.
Polish
Aniele Boży, stróżu mój, Ty zawsze przy mnie stój. Rano, wieczór, we dnie, w nocy Bądź mi zawsze ku pomocy, Strzeż duszy, ciała mego, zaprowadź mnie do żywota wiecznego. Amen.
When the Prayer is Said
Morning and evening; on rising and before sleep.
History & Background
The doctrine that every soul has a guardian angel is taught by Christ Himself: 'See that you despise not one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father' (Mt 18:10). St. Jerome and St. Basil affirmed it explicitly in the 4th century; St. Thomas Aquinas systematized it in the 13th.
The prayer 'Angele Dei, qui custos es mei' appears for the first time in a 12th-century manuscript and was incorporated into the Roman Breviary by 1670 as a prayer of devotion. It has been taught to Catholic children from earliest memory ever since. Pius X (1903) attached an indulgence to its daily recitation.
Indulgences Attached
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite an approved prayer to their guardian angel (Enchiridion of Indulgences, no. 18).