October 2 is the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, and so the beautiful poem, “Guardian Angel,” by Blessed John Henry Newman, is appropriate for this week in which we have commemorated our faithful friends. In addition, in this week we recall the foundation of Opus Dei on Oct 2,1928 – on the feast of the Guardian Angels. St Josemaria’s devotion to these angels, whom he saw as celestial protectors and messengers, went back to his childhood. Many saints, like St. Josemaría and Blessed Newman, have had special devotion to these dear companions, assigned to us at birth.

In this moving poem, Blessed Newman tells us of his love for his angel, but he also gives  sound Catholic teaching on guardian angels. “Guardian Angel” is one of Newman’s hymn poems, written after he had established the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England. Newman’s earlier poetry, before he converted to Catholicism, was written during the Oxford Movement, and is often complex and can be difficult to understand. The early poetry was written for a different purpose than his later poetry; these later poems he wrote expressly to be sung as hymns, with the intent that they be easy to understand, especially by children. These hymn poems are straightforward and charming in their lyrical language. “Guardian Angel” is another fine example of Newman’s hymn poems; the verses need little explanation. This poem can be sung to several hymn tunes, since it is in Common Meter.

“Guardian Angel”

MY oldest friend, mine from the hour

   When first I drew my breath;

My faithful friend, that shall be mine,

   Unfailing, till my death;

No beating heart in holy prayer,

   No faith, inform’d aright,

Gave me to Joseph’s tutelage,

   Or Michael’s conquering might.

Nor patron Saint, nor Mary’s love,

   The dearest and the best,

Has known my being, as thou hast known,

   And blest, as thou hast blest.

Thou wast my sponsor at the font;

   And thou, each budding year,

Didst whisper elements of truth

   Into my childish ear.

And when, ere boyhood yet was gone,

   My rebel spirit fell,

Ah! thou didst see, and shudder too,

   Yet bear each deed of Hell.

And then in turn, when judgments came,

   And scared me back again,

Thy quick soft breath was near to soothe

   And hallow every pain.

Oh! who of all thy toils and cares

   Can tell the tale complete,

To place me under Mary’s smile,

   And Peter’s royal feet!

And thou wilt hang about my bed,

   When life is ebbing low;

Of doubt, impatience, and of gloom,

   The jealous sleepless foe.

Mine, when I stand before the Judge;

   And mine, if spared to stay

Within the golden furnace, till

   My sin is burn’d away.

And mine, O Brother of my soul,

   When my release shall come;

Thy gentle arms shall lift me then,

   Thy wings shall waft me home.  (The Oratory, 1853).

Blessed Newman calls his angel his oldest friend, who guided and helped him during every moment of his childhood, a friend who knows him completely. He thanks his angel for whispering in his ear, giving him guidance, calling him back when he had strayed. And then Newman reminds us that our guardian angels will remain with us, throughout life, and on our deathbed they will be there for us as well, lending us courage and strength in our last moments.

Newman would develop this theme more fully in “The Dream of Gerontius” written in 1865,13 years after writing the poem to his guardian angel. “The Dream of Gerontius,” his most famous poem, is a poem about the soul at the moment of death and ensuing judgment. The role of angels, particularly of the guardian angel, is one of the delightful aspects of “Gerontius.” The guardian angel accompanies Gerontius into Purgatory, but already in his earlier poem Newman teaches as well that the angel will remain by his side as his sin is “burned away” in the “golden furnace,” that is, Purgatory.

The poem “Guardian Angel” ends with a beautiful image, that of the guardian angel, whom Newman calls “brother of my soul” carrying him in his arms, the angel’s wings wafting him home, to heaven.

Do you remember your guardian angel as the ”brother of your soul”? Do you ask him for assistance? Guardian Angels, pray for us! Help guide us Home!