The Breastplate of Saint Patrick is a very popular prayer attributed to one of Ireland’s most beloved saints. According to tradition, Saint Patrick wrote in AD 433 for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. (The term breastplate refers to a piece of armor worn in battle.)
The most recent studies suggest that its author is anonymous. In any case, this prayer undoubtedly reflects the spirit in which Saint Patrick brought the faith to Ireland. La Coraza de San Patricio, also known as «El Lorica de San Patricio», was popular enough to inspire a chant based on this text. (This prayer has also been called «The Cry of the Deer.»)
This prayer seeks God’s protection in a world of both tangible and invisible dangers. Although Saint Patrick of Ireland lived more than 1,500 years ago, his prayer asking God himself to cover him is still very relevant today. Who among us has not struggled with the terrible fear of living in this unpredictable world? Saint Patrick’s solution is: Invoke God!
I get up today through the powerful force, the invocation of the Holy Trinity, through Faith in its Three Persons, through the confession of the Unity of the Creator of the universe.
I rise today, through the force of the birth of Christ and his baptism, through the force of his crucifixion and his burial, through the force of his resurrection and his assumption, through the force of his descent to judge evil.
I rise today through the power of the love of Cherubim, in obedience to the Angels, in the service of the Archangels, in the hope that the resurrection finds a reward, in the prayers of the Patriarchs, in the words of the Prophets, in the sermons of the Apostles, in the innocence of the Holy Virgins, in the works of all good men.
I rise today through the power of heaven: Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Swiftness of lightning, Lightness of the wind, Depth of the seas, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.
I get up today through the strength of God that leads me: Power of God that sustains me, Wisdom of God that guides me, Look of God that watches over me, Ear of God that listens to me, Word of God that speaks for me, Hand of God that keeps me, Path of God stretched out in front of me, Shield of God that protects me, Legions of God to save me from the traps of the devil, from temptations of vices, from anyone who wishes me harm, far and near, alone or in crowd.
I invoke this day all these powers between me and the evil one, against ruthless powers that oppose my body and soul, against the spells of false prophets, against the black laws of the pagans, against the false laws of heretics, against the works and cunning of idolatry, against the enchantments of witches, forges and sorcerers, against any corrupting knowledge of the body and soul.
Christ, be my shield today, against poisons, against burns, against suffocation, against wounds, so that I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ below 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 get up, Christ in the breadth, Christ in the length, Christ in the height, 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 eyes of all who see me, Christ in the ears of all who listen to me.
I get up today through the powerful force, the invocation of the Holy Trinity, through Faith in its Three Persons, through the confession of the Unity of the Creator of the universe. Amen
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