Attend Mass
The feast is celebrated on the same day in both the old and new calendars. Attending Mass today is an excellent way to honor the Guardian Angels who guide and protect us daily.
If you would like to attend a traditional Mass for the feast, find a Traditional Latin Mass near you (click here to explore).
Bake Angel Food Cake or Other Angel-Themed Food
Celebrate the feast by baking angel food cake, which symbolizes the lightness and purity of the angels. You can involve children by having them help decorate the cake with whipped cream, strawberries, or even a halo made from a golden sugar glaze. If you’re feeling creative, bake angel-shaped cookies, cupcakes with angel wings, or any other dessert that can be tied to today’s theme.
Classic Angel Food Cake Recipe
This light and airy cake is perfect for celebrating the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120g) cake flour (sifted)
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar, divided
- 12 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Fresh berries and whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your tube pan (10-inch, ungreased) is ready, as angel food cake must be baked in an ungreased pan for proper rising.
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Sift it two more times to ensure it’s very light and airy. Set aside.
- Beat the Egg Whites: In a large mixing bowl, add the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt. Using a mixer on medium speed, beat until the mixture is frothy. Gradually increase the speed to medium-high and slowly add the remaining 1 cup of sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, until the egg whites form soft, glossy peaks (this will take about 5-7 minutes).
- Add Extracts: Once the egg whites have reached soft peaks, gently fold in the vanilla and almond extracts using a spatula.
- Fold in the Flour: Sift the flour and sugar mixture over the beaten egg whites in 3 batches, gently folding after each addition. Be very careful not to deflate the egg whites while folding—use a gentle lifting motion to incorporate the flour.
- Bake the Cake: Spoon the batter into the ungreased tube pan, spreading it evenly. Run a knife through the batter to eliminate any large air bubbles. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and springs back when touched lightly.
- Cool Upside Down: Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, invert the pan onto a wire rack or hang it upside down using the pan’s feet (if your pan has them). Let the cake cool completely in the inverted position for about 1-2 hours. This helps prevent the cake from collapsing.
- Release the Cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, run a knife around the edges of the pan and gently remove the cake. Transfer the cake to a serving plate.
- Serve: Serve slices of angel food cake with fresh berries and whipped cream, or enjoy it plain for a light and fluffy treat.
Tips:
- Egg Whites: Ensure there is no yolk in your egg whites, as even a small amount of fat can prevent the whites from whipping properly.
- Pan Choice: Use a tube pan for best results, as it allows the cake to rise evenly and provides support for the delicate batter.
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Enjoy this heavenly dessert in honor of the Holy Guardian Angels!
Read About St. Padre Pio’s or St. Josemaría Escrivá’s Devotion to Guardian Angels
Both saints had a deep devotion to their Guardian Angels. Read the stories of how St. Padre Pio often spoke with his Guardian Angel and how he asked his angel for help when writing letters. Similarly, St. Josemaría Escrivá frequently referred to his Guardian Angel as a companion and guide. Reflect on their example, and consider how you can foster a closer relationship with your own angel through prayer and devotion.
You can find readings on these saints’ devotion in collections of their writings or online, such as in “The Way” by St. Josemaría Escrivá or Padre Pio’s letters to his spiritual children.
Memorize and Pray “Angel of God”
Teach your children or yourself to memorize the traditional Angel of God 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.”
You can pray this as part of your morning and evening prayers to help instill a daily reminder of your Guardian Angel’s presence and protection.
Pray the Novena to Your Guardian Angel
Say once a day for 9 days, especially beginning on September 23 and ending on October 1, the eve of the Feast of the Guardian Angels.
O holy angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct, and who assists me in all my wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors.
I return thee profound thanks, and I earnestly beseech thee, o most amiable protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies.
Keep me away from all occasions of sin.
Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice.
In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the favor which I ask for by this novena.
(Mention your intentions here)
Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life, but more especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my Creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness.