Saint Patrick
We invite you to join in our preparation for St Patrick's Day, as we follow St Patrick's Novena for the next nine days, starting today (March 9th to 17th). With a reflection for each day, it is a prayerful way to celebrate our patron Saint and to reaffirm our faith in Christ.
This year we pray especially for peace and for all those who have been forced from their homes due to conflict and violence. We pray that St Patrick will protect them and keep them safe.
On March 17th, we celebrate St Patrick, our patron.
Here are some prayers and reflections in preparation for St Patrick's Feast Day.
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St Patrick’s Novena: March 9th to 17th
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St Patrick’s Breastplate: there are many different variations - we include three.
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The Deer’s Cry (An extract)
Day 1, March 9th
For my well-being and protection today, I call on the power of the Holy Trinity to surround me.
Christ be with me, Christ within me.
Thank you God for my family and friends. Never let me forget that Jesus is also constantly with me as my friend and companion.
AMEN.
Day 2, March 10th
Christ before me, Christ behind me.
God understands all of my past life with its bright and dark moments.
As I look to the future may I never let Christ fade from my view. Amen.
Day 3, March 11th
Christ beneath and Christ above.
For my well-being and protection today, I call on the angels and archangels to watch over me.
As time passes so many changes have left me confused and unsure.
May I never forget that Christ the foundation of my life is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
Day 4, March 12th
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left.
For my well-being and protection today, I call on the help of the prophets, the martyrs and all those who in their lives witnessed to the love of God.
God came to live with us on this earth and so is present all around me. May I see his presence in the suffering and poverty of my brothers and sisters who surround me. Amen.
Day 5, March 13th
Christ with my waking, walking and sleeping.
For my well-being and protection today,
I call on God’s wisdom and vision to
enlighten and guide me.
Every new day and every new night is a precious gift from God. Every morning and every night I want to thank you Lord for the gift of my life. May my days be holy and wholesome. Amen.
Day 6, March 14th
Christ in every heart thinking of me.
For my well-being and protection today,
I call on Jesus who came to save the world to be my shield.
There are so many conflicting messages and messengers fighting to control our deepest emotions and desires. May Christ and his message find space in the hearts of all, especially our young people.
Amen.
Day 7, March 15th
Christ in every tongue speaking to me.
For my well-being and protection today,
I call on all my ancestors and the faithful departed to pray to the Lord for me.
Modern technology has given us so many new ways of talking, very often just destructive ‘gossip’ as Pope Francis remarks. May we use our gifts of communication to build up the world, looking to Jesus the ‘Word’. Amen.
Day 8, March 16h
Christ in every eye that sees me.
For my well-being and protection today, I call on God’s strength to sustain me and God’s love to encourage me.
So many of Jesus’ opponents looked at him to condemn and reject him. May we observe other people’s lives through the lens of compassion, mercy and understanding. Amen.
Day 9, March 17th
Christ in every ear that hears me.
For my well-being and protection today,
I call on Our Lady, the Apostles,
St Patrick and all the saints of Ireland
to be my inspiration and hope.
When the Irish people heard
St. Patrick they heard the voice of Christ. May we all be messengers for Christ and be open to his love entering into our hearts and lives.
Amen.
St Patrick's Breastplate
Christ be beside me,
Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me,
King of my heart.
Christ be within me,
Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.
Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me, shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping,
Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising, light of my life.
Christ be in all hearts thinking about me.
Christ be on all tongues telling of me,
Christ be the vision in eyes that see me,
In ears that hear me. Christ ever be.
This day God gives me strength of high heaven,
Sun and moon shining flame in my hearth,
Flashing of lightning, wind in its swiftness,
Deeps of the ocean, firmness of earth.
Rising I thank you, mighty and strong one,
King of creation, giver of rest.
Firmly confessing threeness of Persons,
Oneness of Godhead, Trinity blest.
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart.
Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me, shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my life.
Christ be near at either hand, Christ behind, before me stand, Christ with me where e’er I go, Christ around, above, below. Christ be in my heart and mind, Christ within my soul enshrined, Christ control my wayward heart; Christ abide and ne’er depart.
Christ my life and only way,
Christ my lantern night and day;
Christ be my unchanging friend,
Guide and shepherd to the end.
The Deer's Cry
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 host to secure me – Against the snares of devils,
Against temptation of vices,
Against inclinations of nature,
Against everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and near, Alone and in a crowd.