the middle of Central Park in New York City, a graceful eight-foot bronze angel hovers over Bethesda Fountain. The Angel of the Waters extends her right hand over the water in a gesture of blessing. In her left hand, the angel carries a lily to symbolize the purity of the water. Bethesda Fountain was commissioned to commemorate the 1842 opening of the Croton Aqueduct, which was built to supply New York City with fresh water. The new, pure water was like a miracle following a cholera epidemic that devastated the city. Emma Stebbins, who created the beautiful sculpture, likened the clean, healthy water that cascaded from the fountain to the healing properties of the biblical pool of Bethesda.
Jesus said to the woman at the well, “Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Lord, you know me; you know everything I have ever done. Wash away my sins in the wellspring of your grace. Heal me with your love, and I will live forever.
January 20
Saint Sebastian (died c. 250)
An Angel’s Gentle Touch
As a high-ranking officer in the Roman army, Sebastian was able to secretly lead others to belief in Christ and encourage fellow Christians in their faith. When Sebastian’s faith and evangelization was discovered, his fellow soldiers bound him to a tree and shot him with arrows. He survived this ordeal, only to be beaten to death. This unusual martyrdom became a popular subject for Renaissance artists. Giovanni Baglione painted Saint Sebastian in 1603, showing an angel gently removing an arrow from the martyr’s body. This scene depicted a popular belief that Christ sent an angel to untie Sebastian and tend to his wounds. Soon after his death, Christians began to venerate his tomb on the Appian Way outside of Rome. Today this underground burial area is named for him, The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian, and is a popular destination for visitors.
Lord, fill us with that spirit of courage that gave your martyr Sebastian strength to offer his life in faithful witness.
January 21
Saint Agnes (died c. 304)
Angelic Bodyguard
Saint Agnes loved her Savior above all else. Just as she refused the young men who wanted to marry her, Agnes refused to offer incense to the imperial gods. Bribes of wonderful gifts did not tempt her. Threats of torture did not break her resolve. Though she was young — only twelve or thirteen years of age — and from a noble Roman family, the prefect ordered that Agnes be placed in a brothel. Waiting for her there, however, was an angel of the Lord ready to protect her. The light of the angel’s presence surrounded her like a shield and blinded all who tried to approach her. Finally, Agnes was sentenced to death and beheaded.
“Rejoice with me, and be glad, for I am espoused to him whom the angels serve. I have taken my place with all the saints in the kingdom of light; sun and moon stand in wonder at his beauty.”
— Antiphons from Morning Prayer for the Feast of Saint Agnes
January 22
Saint Vincent of Saragossa (died 303)
Angels Sent to Comfort
Saint Vincent, archdeacon of the church at Saragossa, Spain, was arrested under the persecution of the Roman emperor Diocletian. His unswerving faith under extreme torture inspired Christians throughout Gaul and as far away as Africa, where Saint Augustine preached about his courage. When it became clear that he would never deny his faith, Vincent was thrown into a dungeon. The earliest account of Vincent’s martyrdom is a hymn written by the poet Prudentius around 400. The poem recounts how Christ sent his angels to assure Vincent that his trial would soon be over and he would join them in heaven. Later, the guard stationed outside the dungeon testified that he saw brilliant light breaking through cracks in the door and heard the prisoner singing, and beautiful voices praying with him.
How can you find peace amid pain and loss? In prayer, unite your suffering to the suffering of Jesus. He will be with you through it all. He will give you light in the darkness and his holy angels will console and strengthen you.
January 23
Saint Paul’s Guardian Angel
Saint Paul was being transported to Rome to stand trial before Caesar when a violent storm at sea heavily damaged the ship and threatened the lives of all on board. Paul encouraged the sailors: “I urge you now to keep up your courage; not one of you will be lost, only the ship. For last night an angel of the God to whom (I) belong and whom I serve stood by me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You are destined to stand before Caesar; and behold, for your sake, God has granted safety to all who are sailing with you.’ Therefore, keep up your courage, men; I trust in God that it will turn out as I have been told” (Acts 27:22–25).
Many times in the Gospels we hear the words, “Do not be afraid,” spoken both by Jesus and by his angels. Paul placed his trust in the message of an angel. And so it came to pass: only the ship was lost. Grant me, Lord, not to succumb to fear when my life is buffeted by storms. Help me to place my trust in your word.
January 24
Saint Francis de Sales (1567–1622)
The Guardian Angel of a Priest
Saint Francis de Sales was only thirty-five when he became the bishop of Geneva and began ordaining young men to serve the Church during a challenging era. Francis reminded them and everyone else that their guardian angels were always nearby. After ordination, one young priest told his bishop that he’d seen his guardian angel. He sensed his angel wanted him to know that he should serve the Church and its people boldly, without hesitation. “Before my ordination,” he told Bishop de Sales, “my guardian angel was always on the left, and he always preceded me.” After he became a priest, the young man said, his angel was always on his right, following him and showing respect for his priesthood.17
Saint Francis de Sales knew that angels are sent from God to guide us. He advised: “Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present to you.” 18
January 25
Angels in Charge
Gathering rain clouds. An ancient Redwood tree. A chicken scratching for food. Saint Augustine wrote that these and every other “visible thing in this world is put in the charge of an angel.” Augustine’s belief was rooted in his study of Scripture, Judaic teachings, and in the order God created in the universe. Angels are created beings, but they are also extensions of God’s care and authority. They were given authority to watch over planets, nations, seasons, animals, everything that grows — and us. Although science can reveal the mechanics of natural processes, we should also recognize that God’s hand has set them all in motion.19
