Happy St. Patrick's Day

We will not be spending St. Patrick's Day in our beloved Ireland this year, but we still want to celebrate the life and faith of the man who lived his life loving and serving the Irish people.

The following is a prayer that was written in Old Irish. Although it was probably not written by Patrick, it certainly captures the spirit of the man and his faith in the Triune God.

From us to you, we wish you a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Breastplate of St. Patrick

I rise today with a mighty power, calling on the Trinity,

with a belief in the threeness,

with a faith in the oneness of the creator of creation.

I rise today with the power of Christ's birth and baptism,

with the power of his crucifixion and burial,

with the power of his resurrection and ascension,

with the power of his return for the final judgment.

I rise today with the strength of the sky,

with the light of the sun,

with the splendor of the moon,

with the brilliance of fire,

with the blaze of lightening,

with the swiftness of wind,

with the depth of ocean,

with the firmness of earth,

with the strength of rock.

I rise today with the power of God to guide me,

with the strength of God to raise me,

with the wisdom of God to lead me,

with the vision of God to see for me,

with the ears of God to hear for me,

with the words of God to speak for me,

with the hand of God to protect me,

with the path of God before me,

with the shield of God to guard me,

with the friendship of God to keep me safe from

the contriving of demons,

the temptations of sin,

the inclinations of my nature,

and everyone who wishes me harm,

far and near,

alone and in the crowd.

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

Christ in me, Christ below me, Christ above me,

Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me,

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I stand,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye which sees me,

Christ in every ear which hears me.

I rise today with a mighty power,

calling on the Trinity,

with a belief in the threeness,

with a faith in the oneness

of the creator of creation.