Custodes hominum

Angel-Guardians of men

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Custodes hominum psallimus Angelos,
Naturæ fragili quos Pater addidit
Cœlestis comites, insidiantibus
Ne succumberet hostibus.
Nam quod corruerit proditor angelus,
Concessis merito pulsus honoribus,
Ardens invidia pellere nititur
Quos cœlo Deus advocat.
Huc custos igitur pervigil advola,
Avertens patria de tibi credita
Tam morbos animi, quam requiescere
Quidquid non sinit incolas.
Sanctæ sit Triadi laus pia jugiter,
Cujus perpetuo numine machina
Triplex hæc regitur, cujus in omnia
Regnat gloria sæcula.

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.
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.
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.
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.

Author: Ascribed to Cardinal Bellarmine (1542-1621). Meter: Asclepiadic and Glyconic. Translation by Alan G. McDougall. There are live translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers. Read the articles on Guardian Angel and on Guardian Angels, Feast of, in the Cath. Encycl.

“We sing of the Angels, the guardians of men, whom the heavenly Father has given as companions to our frail nature, lest it succumb to its insidious foes.”
“For since the traitor-angel fell, he was justly deprived of the honors bestowed upon him, and, burning with envy, he now endeavors to banish those whom God calls to heaven.”
“Fly hither then, O ever-watchful guardian, and ward off from the land entrusted to thee both diseases of the soul and whatsoever does not permit the inhabitants to rest.” Not only may each individual have a Guardian Angel, but each nation may have a special protector among the heavenly spirits. Cf. the footnote on Daniel 10, 13, in the Douay Bible, and the article on Guardian Angel, in the Cath. Encycl.
“May there be loving praise forever to the Holy Trinity, by whose eternal will is ruled this triple frame, and whose glory reigns supreme throughout the ages.”