On March 17, the Christian church recognizes the feast of St. Patrick whom was a 4th century bishop and missionary (slave that was captured and brought to the Irish isle) and brought his experience of Christianity to the Celtic peoples (see more about the life of Patrick: Who Was St. Patrick? – HISTORY) at the History channel).
When we think of St. Patrick’s day, our secular thoughts oftentimes turn to green beer, chasing leprechauns and finding pots of earthly treasure at the end of the rainbow. We wear green laden apparel and are in search of the “lucky” 4 leaf clover. However I encourage us to examine the Celtic cross and the nature of the Trinity. The circle represented the sun god for the Celtic peoples as well as the Romans. For us Christians, the circle represents eternity through God’s continuous plan of salvation history as it relates to our eschatological journey to one day become saints in heaven. The green of the Irish isle represents the growth and continuous love of God in our life. Of course, we must not forget the mystery of the Trinity. In a short summation, the filial love of the Father and the Son that brings forth the types of graces received by the Holy Spirit (sanctifying & actual grace see CCC 1996… Catechism of the Catholic Church – Grace and justification (vatican.va) are great gifts for us to behold. Grace, of course comes from the Latin gratia meaning quality, favor or thanks. Let us ask for the intercession of St. Patrick to pray for us and hope that we might become saints in heaven one day living with our merciful and loving Father. The breastplate prayer of St. Patrick is a good prayer to behold and some of the inspiration can be found from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in putting on the armor of God. May the “luck” of the Irish Christian culture be upon you this day…
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.
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 heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The 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 shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against every knowledge that corrupts one’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an 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 everone 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.
Retrieved from the Columban Sisters website: St. Patrick’s Breastplate. A Shield for Divine Protection. | Missionary Sisters of St. Columban (columbansisters.org)
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