Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/631

 on that day,  after  confession  and  communion,  they  visit  a church  or  public  oratory  and  pray  for  the  Sovereign  Pontiff.

3. A plenary  indulgence,  at  the  hour  of  death,  to  all  who had  been  accustomed  during  life  frequently  to  say  the  said prayer.

Pius VII. afterwards granted  a  plenary  indulgence  to  all the  faithful  who  say  at  least  once  a  day,  for  a  month  together, the  said  prayer,  "  O  angel  of  God,"  &amp;c.,  on  any  one  day when,  after  confession  and  communion,  they  visit  a  church and  pray  as  above.

O most  faithful  companion,  whom  God  has  appointed to watch  over  me,  my  guide  and  protector,  ever  at  my side. What thanks  can  I  offer  thee  for  thy  love,  thy constancy, and  thy  innumerable  benefits? Thou watchest over me  in  sleep;  thou  consolest  me  in  sorrow;  thou raisest me  When  I  fall;  thou  wardest  off  danger;  thou preparest me  for  the  future;  thou  withdrawest  me  from sin; thou  urgest  me  to  good;  and  movest  me  to  do penance,  and  reconcilest  me  with  my  God. Already, perhaps, I  should  have  been  thrust  into  hell,  unless  thou  by thy  prayers  hadst  averted  from  me  the  dreadful  wrath  of God. Desert me not  then,  I  beseech  thee;  encourage  me in  adversity;  restrain  me  in  prosperity;  protect  me  in dangers;  and  assist  me  in  temptations,  lest  at  any  time  I yield  to  them. Offer to  the  Divine  Majesty  all  my  prayers and sighs  and  works,  and  obtain  for  me  the  grace  to  die in the  friendship  of  God,  and  so  to  enter  into  life  eternal. Amen.

O most  holy  angel  of  God,  appointed  by  him  to  be  my guardian,  I  give  thee  thanks  for  all  the  benefits  which thou hast  ever  bestowed  on  me  in  body  and  in  soul. I praise and  glorify  thee  that  thou  dost  condescend  to  assist me, miserable  and  worthless  as  I  am,  with  such  patient fidelity, and  to  defend  me  against  all  the  assaults  of  my enemies. Blessed be  the  hour  in  which  thou  wast  assigned me for  my  guardian,  my  defender,  and  my  patron. Blessed be all  thy  love  to  me,  and  all  thy  care  for  me,  wherewith thou dost  unwearyingly  further  my  salvation. In acknowledgment and  return  of  all  thy  loving  ministries  to  me from  my  youth  I  offer  thee  the  infinitely  precious  and noble Heart  of  Jesus,  full  and  overflowing  with  all  bless-