Random Acts of Posting

A Frosty Glass and St. Patrick's Breastplate

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:24:00 -0700

In Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization, he gives historical context to the man we celebrate each March 17th. I happen to be reading this book on this St. Patty's day, and have an appreciation for the man beyond a reason to drink green Coor's Light.

Without giving away too much of the book or Patrick's story, I will tell you that he is a man with a burden to help others, especially those enslaved in 5th century Ireland (Patrick himself was a slave early in his life). He was not the intellectual Augustine was, but worked hard at becoming learned in the Scriptures.

"St. Patrick's Breastplate" is a prayer attributed to him, although as Cahill writes, "If Patrick did not write in (at least in its current form), it surely takes its inspiration from him." The prayer is a reflection of the time, and the dangers before him, a man who traveled throughout a dark and dangerous countryside, preaching the Gospel and advocating for the end of slavery.

So today, join me in celebrating the good saint's legacy of justice and love by reading this prayer aloud and raising a frosty glass of green lager:

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.

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