Chapter 15

On Reading Canons

Should you read the canon to your guardian angel? Yes, read it. But when you are weak or have much to do, instead of reading the canon, offer a short prayer to him: ‘Holy angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner,’ 50 times with prostrations according to your will (that is, make either full bows or bows from the waist). With these short prayers you can replace all canons. But your attention should not be on the words alone, but together with corresponding thoughts and feelings.

(Letter 378. Vol. 3, p. 12–13)