StPatrick's Day

Saint Patrick (389?-461?), called the Apostle of Ireland,
Christian prelate. His birthplace is uncertain,
but it was probably in southwestern Britain;
his British name was Succat.
At 16 years of age he was carried off by Irish marauders
and passed his captivity as a herdsman near the mountain
Slemish in county Antrim or in county Connacht.
The young herdsman saw visions in which he was urged to escape,
and after six years of slavery he did so, to the northern coast of Gaul.
Ordained a priest, possibly by Saint Germanus, at Auxerre,
he returned to Ireland. Sometime after 431,
Patrick was appointed successor to St. Palladius,
first bishop of Ireland.
Patrick concentrated on the west and north of
Ireland, establishing his see at Armagh.
Patrick's two surviving works are written in Latin.
His reported use of the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity
led to its being regarded as the Irish national symbol.
A strange chant of his, called the Lorica,
is preserved in the Liber Hymnorum (Book of Hymns),
and what purports to have been a handbell he used during Mass
is shown in the National Museum in Dublin.
His traditional feast day is March 17.

The "Lorica" of Saint 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 mulitude.

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.

St. Patrick - circa 377 AD

My Lovely StPatrick's Day Pixie
is from Nebula at the
Enchanted Hollow

My Great StPatrick's Day Pixies
are from Nebula at the
Enchanted Hollow

My Wonderful StPatrick's Day Pixies
are from Nebula at the
Enchanted Hollow

My Newest StPatrick's Day Pixies
are from Nebula at the
Enchanted Hollow