Angel-Guardians of Men / Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos

Painting by Domenichino (1581-1641) - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Angel-Guardians of Men is a translation by Alan G. McDougall (1895-1964) of Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos by St. Robert Bellarmine SJ. (1542-1621). Bellarmine, one of leading Cardinals of the Counter-Reformation and was made a Doctor of the Church in 1931. Despite his extensive and pressing work in theological and ecclesiastical matters, he also found time to compose a number of poems in Italian and Latin. In the Roman Breviary Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos is sung at Vespers on the Feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2).


ANGEL-GUARDIANS OF MEN by Alan G. McDougall

1. Angel-Guardians of men, spirits and powers we sing,
Whom our Father hath sent, aids to our weakly frame,
Heavenly friends and guides, help from on high to bring,
Lest we fail through the foeman's wile.

2. He, the spoiler of souls, Angel-traitor of old,
Cast in merited wrath out of his honored place,
Burns with envy and hate, seeking their souls to gain
Whom God's mercy invites to heaven.

3. Therefore come to our help, watchful ward of our lives:
Turn aside from the land, God to thy care confides
Sickness and woe of soul, yea, and what else of ill
Peace of heart to its folk denies.

4. Now to the Holy Three praise evermore resound:
Under whose hand divine resteth the triple world
Governed in wondrous wise: glory be theirs and might
While the ages unending run.


CUSTODES HOMINUM PSALLIMUS ANGELOS by Robert Bellarmine SJ.

1. Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos
naturae fragili quos Pater addidit
caelestis comites, insidiantibus
ne succumberet hostibus.

2. Nam, quod corruerit proditor angelus,
concessis merito pulsus honoribus,
ardens invidia, pellere nititur
quos caelo Deus advocat.

3. Huc, custos, igitur pervigil advola,
avertens patria de tibi credita
tam morbos animi, quam requiescere
quidquid non sinit incolas.

4. Sanctae sit Triadi laus pia iugiter,
cuius perpetuo numine machina
triplex haec regitur, cuius in omnia
regnat gloria saecula. Amen.

Christ, of the Angels' Praise and Adoration / Christe, Sanctorum

Painting by Guido Reni, 1636 - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Christ, of the Angels' Praise and Adoration is a translation by the Anglican priest, Fr. Thomas Isaac Ball (1838-1916) of Christe, Sanctorum usually ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (c.776-856). Educated under the Carolingian scholar, theologian, and poet Alcuin of York, Rabanus Maurus was ordained a priest in 814, then made the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda in 822,  and after retiring was appointed Archbishop of Mainz in 847. In the Roman Breviary Christe, Sanctorum is traditionally sung at Lauds on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29). Both Christe, Sanctorum and Christ, of the Angels' Praise and Adoration can be sung to the tune: Christe Sanctorum, an old French church melody first published in the Paris Antiphoner (1681).


CHRIST, OF THE ANGELS PRAISE AND ADORATION by T.I. Ball

1. Christ, of the Angels praise and adoration,
Father and Saviour Thou, of every nation,
Graciously grant us all to gain a station,
Where Thou art reigning.

2. Angel all peaceful, to our dwellings send us,
Michael, from heaven coming to befriend us,
Breathing serenest peace may he attend us,
Grim war dispelling.

3. Angel of strength, who triumphed, tumults quelling,
Gabriel send us, ancient foes expelling,
Oft in these temples may he make his dwelling,
Dear unto heaven.

4. Angel Physician, health on man bestowing,
Raphael send us from the skies all glowing,
All sickness curing, wisest counsel showing
In doubt and danger.

5. May the fair Mother of the Light be o'er us,
Virgin of peace, with all the Angel chorus,
And may the heavenly army go before us,
Guiding and guarding.

6. 0 May the Godhead, endless bliss possessing,
Father, Son, Spirit, grant to us this blessing;
All His creation joins His praise confessing,
Now and forever.

Tune: Christe Sanctorum


CHRISTE, SANCTORUM attributed to Rabanus Maurus

1. Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum,
Gentis humanae sator et redemptor,
Caelitum nobis tribuas beatas
Scandere sedes.

 2. Angelus pacis Michael in aedes
Coelitus nostras veniat, serenae
Auctor ut pacis lacrimosa in orcum
Bella releget.

 3. Angelus fortis Gabriel, ut hostes
Pellat antiquos, et arnica ccelo,
Quse triumphator statuit per orbem,
Temp la revisat.

4. Angelus nostrae medicus salutis,
Adsit e coelo Raphael, ut omnes
Sanet aegrotos, dubiosque vitae
Dirigat actus.

5. Virgo dux pacis, Genitrixque lucis,
Et sacer nobis chorus Angelorum
Semper assistat, simul et micantis
Regia coeli.

6. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris, ac Nati, pariterque sancti
Spiritus, cujus resonat per omnem
Gloria mundum.

Liturgical Guide: Feast of Holy Guardian Angels

Painting by Melchior Paul von Deschwanden - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - The Feast of Guardian Angels is celebrated on October 2. It was added to the Roman Calendar in 1608 by Pope Paul V. Paragraph #336 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states this regarding Guardian Angels: "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life' - St. Basil. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God."


Apostleship of Prayer

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

151. Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him

152. They Come, God's Messengers of Love

153. You Holy Angels Bright

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
They Come, God's Messengers of Love

ROMAN BREVIARY
Aeterne Rector Siderum
Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos