Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 1

INTRODUCTION: This is my 4th year of posting an Advent Calendar on AMOROMA. I remember Advent Calendars from my childhood, and over the years I shared them with my own kids, Emily and Peter. We would look forward to opening a window and revealing a picture, and sometimes a verse, relating to Christmas.

Previous years in Rome I have posted Roman Windows, Roman Doors, and Roman Gates. This year I will continue my Advent Calendar tradition with Roman Angels. Each day you will be able to log in and see a different angel that I have encountered here in Rome.

This is an angel by Bernini on the Ponte Sant' Angelo.

O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
9th Century Latin hymn

Feast: St. Michael and All Angels

Today is the feast of St. Michael and All Angels.
This 17th century fresco of St. Michael the Archangel is above the sanctuary on the left wall in the Oratory of Saint Francis Xavier del Caravita, close to the Pantheon and the Via del Corso in the center of Rome.

The traditional prayer to St. Michael:
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.Amen.

In honor of this angelic feast, here are some of the Bernini designed angels on the Ponte Sant' Angelo.