# Praying for Las Vegas and the Guardian Angels
*2017-10-02*

> Bill Young reflects on the tragic Las Vegas shooting, reads Mother Teresa’s 1994 Wall Street Journal comments on the sanctity of life, and leads a series of prayers to our guardian angels on their feast day.

## A Tragic Day and a Voice from Mother Teresa

Bill begins by noting the mass shooting in Las Vegas on October 2, 2017, which claimed at least 58 lives and injured over 500 people. He recalls receiving a 1994 Wall Street Journal piece attributed to Mother Teresa, in which she warned that the abortion decision in Roe v. Wade had “deformed a great nation,” pitting mothers against children and eroding the father’s role. Bill stresses that the loss of life in Las Vegas reminds us how precious every human life is, especially for those who lack a religious foundation.

## Why We Pray to Our Guardian Angels

October 2 is also the feast of the Guardian Angels. Bill shares a passage from his prayer book describing the guardian angel as an unseen friend who presents our prayers to God, watches over us, and inspires us to do good. He emphasizes that angels are vigilant because of their love for God, and that they lead us toward heaven. Bill urges listeners to respect and invoke their angels, especially in moments of loneliness or danger.

## Teachings of the Saints on Angels

Bill cites several saints: St. John Boscovich says an angel’s desire to help exceeds our own; St. Charles Lwanga notes that angels appear to those who love and call them; St. Pio of Pietrelcina trusted his guardian angel to translate a foreign letter; and Pope John Paul II encouraged devotion to guardian angels. These testimonies illustrate the close, protective relationship angels have with the faithful.

## Prayers to Our Guardian Angels

Bill leads several traditional prayers:

• The “Angel of God, my guardian dear” prayer, asking the angel to be present day and night.
• A longer prayer of thanksgiving, requesting guidance, protection, and intercession through Mary.
• An invocation asking the angel to be a helper, comfort, light, and shield against evil.
• A consecration to the guardian angel, promising fidelity to God, the Church, and Mary, and asking for divine love and humility.

He invites listeners to join him in these prayers, especially as the day of consecration to guardian angels approaches.

## Closing Prayer and Rosary

Bill concludes by praying for the souls of those who died in Las Vegas, for the speedy recovery of the injured, and for the families who mourn. He invites listeners to pray the Rosary with him, asking God’s blessing on all.

*In the face of tragedy, turning to the guardian angels reminds us that every human life is sacred and protected by God’s love.*