The Prayer of Saint Patrick

Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.

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 hosts to save me

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 in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

The Lorica (The Breastplate) of Saint Patrick
Apostle to the Emerald Isle
A literal translation from the old Irish text.

I bind to myself today
the strong virtue of the Invocation of the trinity:
I believe in the trinity in Unity, the Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
the virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
the virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
the virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
the virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
the virtue of the love of seraphim, in the obedience of angels,
in the hope of resurrection unto reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preaching of Apostles, in faith of Confessors,
in purity of holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today the power of Heaven,
the light of the sun, the brightness of the moon,
the splendour of fire, the flashing of lightning,
the swiftness of wind, the depth of sea,
the stability of earth, the compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God’s Power to guide me, God’s Might to uphold me,
God’s Wisdom to teach me, God’s Eye to watch over me,
God’s Ear to hear me, God’s Word to give me speech,
God’s Hand to guide me, God’s Way to lie before me,
God’s Shield to shelter me, God’s Host to secure me,

Against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices,
against the lusts of nature, against everyone who meditates injury to me,
whether far or near, whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues against every hostile merciless power
which may assail my body and my soul,

Against the incantations of false prophets, against the black laws of heathenism,
against the false laws of heresy, against the deceits of idolatry,
against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
Christ, protect me today against poison, against burning,
against drowning, against death-wound, that I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort, Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the fore deck, Christ in the aft deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
the strong virtue of the Invocation of the trinity,
I believe in the trinity in Unity
the Creator of the Universe.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!