A Catholic Devotional on Purification, Virtue, and Intercession
By Shanaz Joan Parsan
Prologue – The Battle Within and the Light Above
In every age, the saints have taught that sin is not merely disobedience but disorder — a fracture of harmony within the soul and within creation itself. Yet where sin wounds, grace heals; and where human weakness falters, the angels minister.
The Seven Deadly Sins are the seven distortions of love. Each takes something good and bends it toward the self. Each isolates us from divine charity. But the angels, the pure intelligences who never ceased loving rightly, stand ready to assist us.
They are not distant symbols; they are living messengers whose presence draws the soul upward, away from vice and toward virtue.
This devotional is a journey through purification — guided by the light of the angelic choirs and archangels, whose missions mirror the healing we need most.
“You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)
1. Pride – The Fall of Light
Sin: Pride is the belief that we can exist apart from God, that our light is our own. It is the first and most dangerous sin, for it blinds the intellect and breeds rebellion. Lucifer fell not because he lacked beauty, but because he loved it wrongly — desiring the throne rather than the Presence.
Virtue: Humility — the recognition that all good is gift.
Angelic Intercessor: St. Michael the Archangel, the humble warrior who cried, “Who is like God?” and cast down the proud.
Scripture: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Reflection:
Humility is not humiliation; it is clarity. The humble see reality as it is — that God is the source of every breath, every talent, every joy. To kneel is not to shrink, but to rise into truth. When the ego bows, the soul stands upright before God.
When tempted to self-importance or resentment, invoke Michael’s name. He reminds us that the mightiest creature is still a servant.
Prayer:
“St. Michael, defender of truth, strike down the pride within me. Teach me to glory only in the Cross. May I never exalt myself above others, but see Christ in all.”
2. Envy – The Shadow of Comparison
Sin: Envy is sadness at another’s good — the refusal to rejoice in God’s generosity. It breeds rivalry, gossip, and bitterness.
Virtue: Charity and gratitude.
Angelic Intercessor: St. Gabriel the Archangel, the herald of divine joy and humility.
Scripture: “Love is not jealous or boastful.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Reflection:
Envy begins where gratitude ends. The envious heart forgets that God’s gifts are never exhausted — that another’s blessing does not diminish our own. Gabriel’s song to Mary, “Rejoice, full of grace,” teaches us to celebrate grace wherever it appears.
To fight envy, praise the good in others. Every sincere blessing spoken aloud silences jealousy.
Prayer:
“Gabriel of glad tidings, teach me to rejoice in every work of God. Deliver me from envy’s shadow, and fill my heart with gratitude for what I have and joy for what others receive.”
3. Wrath – The Fire Uncontained
Sin: Wrath is anger detached from justice and mercy. It is love corrupted into destruction — the refusal to forgive.
Virtue: Patience and mercy.
Angelic Intercessor: The Powers, guardians of peace and defenders of divine order.
Scripture: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26)
Reflection:
Anger, rightly ordered, defends the weak and resists evil. But wrath consumes indiscriminately — it burns friend and foe alike.
The Powers restrain chaos; they remind us that divine strength is always governed by calm justice. To forgive is not weakness; it is participation in divine equilibrium.
Prayer:
“Holy Powers, quell the fire of vengeance within me. Let righteous anger serve justice, never pride. Teach me to meet injury with peace, and to let mercy have the final word.”
4. Sloth (Acedia) – The Weariness of the Soul
Sin: Sloth is not mere laziness; it is spiritual apathy — a sadness before goodness. It whispers that holiness is too hard, prayer too dry, and hope too far away.
Virtue: Zeal and perseverance.
Angelic Intercessor: The Virtues, who energize creation and inspire perseverance in the weary.
Scripture: “Do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Reflection:
The devil does not need to make us wicked; he only needs to make us indifferent. The Virtues remind us that to act with love, even when joy is absent, is already heroic.
Every time we choose prayer over distraction, compassion over numbness, we reignite the heart’s flame.
Prayer:
“Virtues of divine strength, awaken my heart. Let me not tire of love nor despair of grace. Renew in me the courage to rise and serve again.”
5. Greed (Avarice) – The Fear of Having Less
Sin: Greed is the hunger for control and possession, born from distrust of God’s providence.
Virtue: Generosity and detachment.
Angelic Intercessor: The Thrones, who rest in divine balance and reflect perfect contentment in God.
Scripture: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
Reflection:
Greed begins in fear — the belief that if I do not hold tightly, I will be lost. But the Thrones teach repose. Their peace lies in surrender, not in possession.
To give freely is to imitate heaven’s economy, where nothing is hoarded because love circulates endlessly.
Prayer:
“Holy Thrones of divine peace, free my heart from anxiety over gain. Teach me to find joy in simplicity, to give with gladness, and to rest in God’s abundance.”
6. Gluttony – The Hunger That Forgets Heaven
Sin: Gluttony is not only overindulgence in food or pleasure, but the attempt to fill spiritual emptiness with material comfort.
Virtue: Temperance and gratitude.
Angelic Intercessor: St. Raphael the Archangel, healer of body and soul.
Scripture: “Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Reflection:
The body is sacred, not sovereign. Gluttony forgets this, seeking comfort apart from communion. Raphael heals the disordered appetite by reminding us that true nourishment comes from grace. Every meal can become Eucharistic — thanksgiving offered, not craving indulged.
Prayer:
“Raphael, physician of heaven, heal my disordered desires. Teach me to take joy in moderation and to let gratitude sanctify all pleasure.”
7. Lust – The Fire Without Light
Sin: Lust is love stripped of reverence. It takes what should be self-gift and turns it into consumption.
Virtue: Chastity and reverence for the sacred body.
Angelic Intercessor: The Seraphim, flames of pure love.
Scripture: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Reflection:
The Seraphim burn with passion, yet without corruption. Their love is fire ordered to truth — desire transfigured into worship. To be pure is not to be cold, but to burn rightly: to love in a way that gives, not takes.
Chastity is not repression but freedom — to desire as God desires, wholly and truly.
Prayer:
“Seraphim of holy fire, purify my heart. Let love in me become worship, and desire become adoration.”
Epilogue – The Angelic Path of Virtue
Every vice is a distortion of love; every virtue, its healing.
The angels show us what it means to love rightly: to adore without envy, to act without pride, to burn without consuming.
Their intercession does not replace our effort but empowers it, illuminating the narrow path that leads from slavery to freedom.
To live among the angels is to choose humility over vanity, gratitude over resentment, mercy over rage, diligence over apathy, generosity over greed, moderation over excess, and chastity over indulgence.
When these virtues take root, the soul joins the celestial harmony — its song restored, its light rekindled.
“Bless the Lord, all you His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word, obeying the voice of His word.” (Psalm 103:20)
Appendix: Angelic Prayers for Deliverance and Renewal
To accompany the journey from vice to virtue
1. The Chaplet of St. Michael (Abbreviated Form)
(Approved by Pope Pius IX, 1851)
“Bless the Lord, all you His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word.” — Psalm 103 : 20
Opening Prayer:
O God, come to my assistance.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Invocation of the Nine Choirs:
For the intercession of the Seraphim, may we burn with perfect love.
For the Cherubim, may we seek divine truth.
For the Thrones, may we rest in humility and peace.
For the Dominions, may we govern our passions with grace.
For the Virtues, may we persevere in faith and good works.
For the Powers, may we be protected from the snares of evil.
For the Principalities, may nations walk in justice and mercy.
For the Archangels, may revelation and healing come to our world.
For the Angels, may we be guarded in every hour of our lives.
Concluding Prayer:
Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Host,
defend us in battle and protect us against all wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
2. Prayer to St. Raphael for Healing of the Passions
“For I am Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the Lord.” — Tobit 12 : 15
Blessed St. Raphael,
Healer of the living God,
You guided Tobias and restored his sight;
be my companion in every darkness of heart and mind.
Heal in me all disordered desires,
where pleasure has dulled my spirit,
where resentment has hardened my heart,
where grief has overshadowed joy.
Restore within me the image of purity and wholeness
that mirrors the love of Christ.
Guide my steps toward moderation,
and teach me to see every created good as a reflection of divine beauty.
Through your intercession,
may my appetites serve, not rule;
may my body glorify, not hinder;
and may my soul be healed in the peace of God. Amen.
3. Litany of the Seven Virtues and Angelic Aid
Response: “Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.”
For humility to conquer pride — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
For charity to conquer envy — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
For patience to conquer wrath — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
For zeal to conquer sloth — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
For generosity to conquer greed — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
For temperance to conquer gluttony — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
For chastity to conquer lust — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
That we may learn to love as they love — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
That our prayer may rise with theirs before Your throne — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
That our hearts may burn with the fire of their charity — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
That our lives may echo their obedience and peace — Lord, send Your holy angels to guide us.
Concluding Prayer:
O God of angelic order and human frailty,
You have given us the heavenly spirits to guide, protect, and inspire us.
Through their aid, may we resist temptation, embrace virtue, and walk steadfastly in Your light,
until the day when, joined with them, we praise You eternally.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
4. The Angelic Prayer of Renewal
(for daily devotion)
Holy Angels of God, my companions unseen,
you who rejoice in the light of the Eternal,
walk beside me through this day.
Guard me from pride and impatience;
deliver me from envy and fear.
Strengthen me in labor, purify my intentions,
and let all that I do begin and end in love.
May my words echo your praise,
my silence share your peace,
and my heart beat in time with the will of God.
When night falls, stand near my rest,
and at the final dawn, lead me home to His Presence.
Amen.
5. Benediction – The Song Restored
O Lord of Hosts,
let Your angels surround this soul with light.
Where pride has closed the heart, let humility open it.
Where envy has stolen joy, let gratitude return it.
Where wrath has burned, let mercy heal.
Where sloth has numbed, let zeal awaken.
Where greed has gripped, let generosity free.
Where gluttony has dulled, let temperance renew.
Where lust has blinded, let purity restore sight.
Through the intercession of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael,
and all the holy angels,
may we one day join their eternal hymn:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts;
heaven and earth are full of Your glory.”
Amen.
Angelic Daily Devotion
Morning and Evening Prayers for Protection, Purity, and Peace
By Shanaz Joan Parsan
🌅 Morning Prayer – To Begin the Day in Light
“He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” — Psalm 91 : 11
Heavenly Father,
as dawn awakens the earth,
I lift my heart to You.
Send forth Your holy angels to guide my steps today.
St. Michael, guard me from pride and deceit;
teach me to stand in truth and humility.
St. Gabriel, open my ears to God’s word;
let joy and gratitude be my speech.
St. Raphael, heal my body and my intentions;
make my work an offering of love.
Holy Seraphim, set my heart aflame with pure charity.
Cherubim, enlighten my mind to seek wisdom.
Thrones, anchor me in peace and balance.
Dominions, govern my will toward obedience.
Virtues, give strength to persevere in good.
Powers, shield me from temptation.
Principalities, bless my nation and all who lead it.
Guardian Angels, remain beside me in every moment.
Let my thoughts be pure,
my words kind,
and my actions pleasing to You.
May this day begin, continue, and end in Your holy will.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Optional addition)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts; heaven and earth are full of Your glory.”
🌙 Evening Prayer – To Rest in the Presence of Heaven
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve?” — Hebrews 1 : 14
Lord of mercy and light,
as this day closes,
I thank You for the guardians who watched unseen.
If I have failed in charity, forgive me.
If I have strayed through pride or fear, restore me.
Let Your angels gather my scattered thoughts
and offer them to You in peace.
St. Michael, drive far from me all darkness and despair.
St. Gabriel, speak Your message of hope within my dreams.
St. Raphael, bring rest to my body and healing to my soul.
Holy Seraphim, burn away all impurity.
Cherubim, hold me in the light of truth.
Thrones, steady me in Your stillness.
Dominions, rule my heart with holy order.
Virtues, renew my strength for the day to come.
Powers, protect my sleep from the enemy’s shadow.
Principalities, intercede for peace in this world.
Guardian Angels, keep vigil beside my bed.
Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Let me rise tomorrow in grace and gratitude,
ever closer to the harmony of heaven.
Amen.
Optional Night Refrain
“Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
ever this night be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.”
Closing Blessing
May the fire of the Seraphim purify your heart,
the wisdom of the Cherubim enlighten your mind,
the peace of the Thrones steady your soul,
and the protection of the Archangels surround your life.
And may the love of the Father,
the grace of the Son,
and the light of the Holy Spirit
be your dwelling forever.
Amen.