March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. The Breastplate of St. Patrick.

I learned a new prayer this week, "St. Patrick's Prayer".  At first, I was introduced to the portion that many might know (though this was the first for me).
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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 in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in 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 every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

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That portion of the prayer in itself is powerful.  Then, I was introduced to the entire "Breastplate of St. Patrick".  It is rather lengthy, but I found it to be quite powerful as well.  I found this version at: http://catholicism.about.com/od/prayers/qt/Lorica_Patrick.htm

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I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

I arise today 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 today through the strength of the love of Cherubim
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through the strength of Heaven:
light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of 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 host to secure me:
against snares of devils, against temptations of vices,
against inclinations of nature, against everyone who
shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils):
against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul, against incantations of false prophets,
against black laws of heathenry,
against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry,
against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul.

Christ to protect me today
against poison, against burning,
against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come 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, Christ on my left,
Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in 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 every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

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The version I read had "I arise" though I have noticed some versions say "I bind unto myself today" or "I bind this day".  The "Christ" section differed as well.  For example, here's a different version than the one I posted at the beginning: http://www.prayerfoundation.org/st_patricks_breastplate_prayer.htm

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

This prayer was composed in 433.  It is also known by the name "The Deer's Cry" as St. Patrick reportedly passed without harm because a deer and its fawns captured the attention of those in waiting.  This is mentioned as well as the explanation of what a "lorica" is (a tunic) here:  http://www.brothersofstpatrick.com/breastplate.htm. 

Above the explanation you will see the "Breastplate of St. Patrick" in a visual art form.

There are also musical versions of this.  "I Bind Unto Myself Today" in the Anglican Church Hymn Book (#68) is one example.  Scroll to the bottom of this link for information: http://orderofsaintpatrick.org/breastplate.htm

For the visual as well as the auditory learner, here is a youtube link that I enjoyed.  You might (or might not).  There is some beautifule scenery/landscape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJx_Lu4PymE

Well, it's amazing what one can learn when one is introduced to something new.  There is a possibility that I've heard the more popular portion before, but it's not something I've ever committed to memory or tucked away in my Bible.   I think I'll start with the smaller portion as far as committing to memory. :)

I could link the "breastplate" term to the "armor of God" in Ephesians 6, but this is fairly long already.  So, I'll allow you to do the "linking" this time. :)  [How's that for a teacher?]

May Christ be with you on your journey,

~Debra