October 2. Guardian angels.  There is a very long tradition in the church of devotion to our guardian angels.   In recent years this seems to have faded with a greater interest in angels in general.   We often see pictures of cute cuddly little creatures with wings and sometimes angels are portrayed as avengers at the gates of heaven or hell.   All angels are messengers from God, but our guardian angels bring the message of God’s care and love to a specific person.  This can be a real source of comfort to children especially.  Families can use the prayer with the young and you might find that as the kids grow up they may still l use the prayers they learned as children.Jessica said, “Hey Mom, didn’t Fr Martin once tell us that his guardian angel always found him a parking place wherever he went?” Prayer:  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.  

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Jesus said, see that you do not despise these little ones; I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matt 18:10. Pope Francis:  Each of us has a Guardian Angel, who acting on behalf of God, advises us and protects us from evil, if we only listen to him. 2015 message to families. Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others. LS 159 

Eco-tip and prayer: As the Season of Creation will end on 4th October, the feast of St Francis pray to him too as you examine your prayer life with your guardian angels as Eco-friendly families.  How can it be enriched?  Get MARFAM’S  booklet BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES to use for sharing and prayer.    

DAILY FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.

PRAYER FOR THE SEASON OF CREATION during the Jubilee Year of St Francis.  St Francis, our brother, you who 800 years ago, went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us with the Lord. You who recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation, that breaks down all walls.  You, who unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world erects borders, in this age marked by conflict and division.   Intercede for us that we may become artisans of peace; unarmed and disarming witnesses to the peace that comes from Christ.