father’s battle sword to a beggar, she said no gift was too precious to give to Christ. Brigid’s vision of happiness was generous, as well. Her prayer is for all of us.
I would like the angels of heaven to be among us.
I would like the abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like the friends of heaven to be gathered
around us from all parts.29
What is my vision of happiness? What do I want in abundance? Why is it sometimes so hard to let go of the things I do have? Is it because I am afraid I won’t have enough for myself? I want to understand that in you, God, I have all I need and plenty to share.
February 2
Presentation of the Lord
Angels Reflect God’s Light
In obedience to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took the forty-day-old Jesus to the Temple to consecrate him to the Lord and to fulfill the purification sacrifice. Simeon, an old man waiting to see the promised Messiah, called Jesus “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). Because this day falls about midway between winter and spring, it is associated with the increase of natural light in our world. It has also been called Candlemas. With the blessing of candles, we welcome Christ, the Light of the World. We also welcome his angels who are a dim — yet true — reflection of the pure light of Christ. Today, light a candle as you say this prayer:
May this candle remind me, Lord Jesus,
that You are my Light in darkness,
my Protector in danger,
and my Savior at all times.
I praise You and give You glory,
With all of the angels in heaven
for You are Lord, forever and ever. Amen.
February 3
Go, Angel, Tell the News
More than a century ago, ninety-year-old Penny Jessye sang as she prepared to go to her “Good Lord in that Heaven.” She called on her Guardian Angel to fulfill an angel’s primary mission — to be a messenger. Her granddaughter, Eva A. Jessye, transcribed Penny Jessye’s deathbed spiritual, her last prayer.
Good Lord
In that Heaven,
Good Lord
In that Heaven,
Good Lord,
In that Heaven,
I know I gotta home at last!
Go, Angel, and tell the news,
Go, Sister, and tell the news,
Go, Elder, and tell the news,
I know I gotta home at last.30
Go, Angel, go and tell the news that I am on my way. Someday, someday, I will be going home. Stay, Angel, stay and help me find my way.
February 4
Angels — Neither Male nor Female
A young woman receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation wanted to honor Michael the Archangel by taking Michael as her Confirmation name. When she told the bishop her chosen name, he said that “Michael” is not a girl’s name. “Neither is it a boy’s,” she replied softly, with a smile for the bishop. She received the name. And she had a point. The angels, even the ones who have masculine names such as Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel, are not male. Angels — spiritual, not physical, beings — have no gender.31
“At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30).
Our lives after the final resurrection will be essentially different from our life here on earth. The relationships of this world will be transformed, transcended; the risen body will be “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
February 5
Saint Agatha (c. 231–251)
Angels to Heal Me
Saint Agatha is one of the seven women martyrs of the early Church named in Eucharistic Prayer I. Agatha grew up in a Christian family in Sicily. During the persecutions of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius, the governor of Sicily tried to force Agatha to renounce Christ. Agatha defended her faith: “If you threaten me with wild beasts, know that at the Name of Christ they grow tame; if you use fire, from heaven angels will drop healing dew on me.” Agatha endured cruel tortures and a month in prison before she died.32
Lord, our Creator, heal the hearts of all women who suffer from sexual assault, verbal threats, and physical abuse. We beg you to send your angels to protect them. Saint Agatha, help us to exorcise this evil in our society.
February 6
Released by an Angel
Peter was in prison in Jerusalem, under heavy guard, awaiting execution at the order of King Herod. During the night before his trial, the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. The angel woke Peter and told him to get up quickly and put on his belt and sandals. At that, the chains fell from Peter’s wrists. As Peter followed the angel out of the prison, the guards took no notice of them, and the iron gate of the prison courtyard opened of its own accord. They hurried through the gate and into an alley where the angel suddenly left him. Only then did Peter understand that his escape was not just a dream (Acts 12:1–11).
In you, Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me;
incline your ear to me;
make haste to rescue me!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me.
(Psalm 31:2–3)
February 7
It Is His Angel
