Read about the history of St. Patrick, the great “Apostle of Ireland,” and learn his famous Breastplate Prayer: “Christ with me, Christ before me.”
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- About St. Patrick
- Prayer of St. Patrick
- The Irish Blessing
- Short Irish blessings for Every Day
Introduction
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is one of the most globally celebrated feast days. From the city of Chicago that dyes its river green to the many parades in Ireland, North American cities, and elsewhere, this day commemorates the saint who introduced Ireland to Christianity.
Outside of Ireland, those cities include Boston, Chicago, and New York, just to name a few. All are home to large parades and streets lined with green decor to celebrate “St. Paddy,” typically on the weekend before or after the feast day on March 17.
Overall, this day has transformed into more of a cultural celebration than a religious one per se, though there are many prayers and Irish blessings we’ll share with you to prayerfully celebrate this Catholic saint aside from the corned beef and cabbage.
About St. Patrick
St. Patrick is one of the most well-known saints worldwide, with millions who share his name (Pádraig, Patricio, Patrício to name a few translations) and many churches named after him. Ever visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan?
Born in the late fourth century A.D. in Roman Britain (either Scotland or Wales, historians debate), legend holds this saint drove all snakes out of Ireland, though we know there have never been snakes in Ireland. This legend likely arose from the credit to St. Patrick’s for spreading Christianity in Ireland; he is known as the great “Apostle of Ireland.”
St. Patrick was actually kidnapped when he was 16 by Irish raiders in his homeland and taken to Ireland where he was enslaved for several years. According to tradition, he spent six years in the Slemish Mountain region in Northern Ireland as a shepherd of pigs and sheep. He eventually escaped and journeyed back to his homeland as a stowaway across the North Channel.
Upon returning, he studied Christianity and became a deacon and, ultimately, a bishop. After a great vision, St. Patrick returned to Ireland to evangelize.
As we read in his Confessio,
So I am first of all a simple country person, a refugee, and unlearned. I do not know how to provide for the future. But this I know for certain, that before I was brought low, I was like a stone lying deep in the mud. Then he who is powerful came and in his mercy pulled me out, and lifted me up and placed me on the very top of the wall. That is why I must shout aloud in return to the Lord for such great good deeds of his, here and now and forever, which the human mind cannot measure.
St. Patrick
Many believe that St. Patrick used the symbol of the shamrock – the three-leafed clover – as a means of evangelization; the three leaves represent the Holy Trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Prayer of St. Patrick
This Prayer of St. Patrick is also known as the Breastplate Prayer or “Lorica” Prayer – Latin for “a Roman cuirass of leather or metal.” It is a beautiful prayer to say in the morning and remind yourself of the strength of Christ that works through you, and of course, an excellent prayer for St. Patrick’s Day.
Many variations shorten the bolded portion of the full prayer below into a shorter prayer:
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 every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
Here’s the full Prayer of St. Patrick:
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and 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 service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
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.
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 hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes 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 shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
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 every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
The Irish Blessing
Both famous and anonymous, the Irish Blessing is common around departures or new beginnings, such as weddings, funerals, or goodbyes to friends and family moving away to a new place. It is a prayer of strength, protection, and best wishes. The Irish Blessing has a handful of Scriptural references as well, James Wilson for Irish Central writes,
The reference to the wind is thought to be a reference to the Holy Spirit, who came as a “mighty wind” at Pentecost. The sun’s warmth alludes to God’s Mercy which the New Testament (Luke 1:78, NIV) tells us “by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven.” The mention of rain is thought to be symbolic of God’s provision – nothing will grow without rain.
James Wilson
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Irish blessings for St. Patrick’s Day and Every Day
Many of these Irish blessings remain anonymous, passed down among generations. Most center around blessing friends and family to live a life of growing joy and abundance.
- “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.”
- “May green be the grass you walk on, may blue be the skies above you, may pure be the joys that surround you, may true be the hearts that love you.”
- “May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you’re going, and the insight to know when you’re going too far.”
- “May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch to your door and Happiness be your guest today and evermore.”
Before you go, don’t “Irish Goodbye!” Click here to download Hallow and check out the 10,000+ prayers and meditations on the app. God bless!
Other Resources:
- Prayers for Hope
- Prayers for Healing
- St. Padre Pio
- How to Pray With Saints
- Lent Prayers for 2024
