There is a very old prayer attributed to Saint Patrick called “Patrick’s Hymn” or “The Lorica”. In Ireland we know it more commonly as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” and “The Deer’s Cry”.
For centuries it was believed Saint Patrick wrote the hymn and sang it on the occasion when he and and a group of companions were on their way to the Hill of Tara to convert a great Irish king to Christianity. More recently, scholars suggest it was written by an anonymous author in the late 7th or early 8th century.
Whatever the case, it is a prayer/poem/hymn that reflects the spirit of the patron saint of Ireland. So, on this the feast day of Saint Patrick, I offer you his cherished prayer. God bless and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Saint Patrick’s Hymn
I arise to-day
Through a mighty strength
With the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness
Thorough confession of the Oneness
In the society of the Creator.
I arise to-day
Through the strength of Christ 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 to-day
Through the strength of the rank of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of the archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prays of Patriarchs,
In preachings of Apostles,
In faiths of Confessors,
In innocence of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise to-day
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise to-day
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 temptation of vices,
From everyone who wishes me ill
Afar and anear
Alone and in a multitude.
I summon to-day 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 women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me to-day
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 hand, 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 every mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise to-day
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity;
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
In an Irish Home 