It occurred to me after my surgery that the work of an angel and the vocation of the nurse are the same. But it occurred to me today that in particular the vocation of the nurse is to be a guardian angel: to communicate, to protect, to console, to comfort, and to give direction.
Which explains why angels always start with, “Do not be afraid!” That’s a lot of power to have over someone. Here’s what the catechism says about guardian angels: From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God [CCC 336].
That sounds to me like the job of a nurse: watchful care and intercession…protecting the patient and leading him to life. So today I offer this prayer for you and for your fellow nurses:
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,
rule and guide.
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love
commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side,
to light and guard,
rule and guide.
Amen.
