Today, on the 17th March, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Patrick, the man who converted Ireland to Christianity in the 5th century when the Druids still reigned over this nation. About his mission we read in an account of Saint Germain‘s life:
“Since the glory of the father shines in the training of the children, of the many sons in Christ whom St. Germain is believed to have had as disciples in religion, let it suffice to make mention here, very briefly, of one most famous, Patrick, the special Apostle of the Irish nation, as the record of his work proves. Subject to that most holy discipleship for 18 years, he drank in no little knowledge of Holy Scripture from the stream of so great a well-spring. Germain sent him, accompanied by Segetius, his priest, to Celestine, Pope of Rome, approved of by whose judgement, supported by whose authority, and strengthened by whose blessing, he went on his way to Ireland.“
There are many stories about Saint Patrick‘s mission in Ireland and his encounters with the priests of Celtic paganism. One of them is relating to us how the druids were unable to put out the Paschal fire lighted by Saint Patrick at the end of March in the year 433. A royal decree proclaimed that the Paschal fires lighted by the first Christians of Ireland should be extinguished. On the hill of Slane, across from Tara, Saint Patrick enkindled the fire – and the opposing druids exclaimed “O King, live forever; this fire, which has been lighted in defiance of the royal edict, will blaze forever in this land unless it be this very night extinguished“. Again and again they tried to put out the fire but were not able to, and Saint Patrick escaped from all attempts they made to put him to death. On the celebration day of the Paschal mysteries, the whole missionary band under Saint Patrick walked in procession to Tara, with Saint Patrick‘s young assistant Benignus carrying a copy of the Gospels. With all sorts of incantations the druid magicians tried to stop Saint Patrick and his companions, stirring up a dark demonic cloud over the plains and hills, that was overcome by Saint Patrick‘s prayer and faith – the sunlight suddenly breaking through the darkness and dispelling the clouds. When Saint Patrick then explained the faith to the Celtic chieftains locked up in superstitious practices and witchcraft, he used a shamrock with its single stem and triple leaf as an image for the doctrine of the one God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The following prayer called “Saint Patrick’s Breastplate“ is a famous and powerful prayer by this great saint who put “on the armour of God“ and thereby was “able to stand against the deceits of the devil“ (Ephesians 6: 11):
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit; and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints.“
Ephesians 6: 14-18
“I bind to myself today the strong virtue of the invocation of the Trinity: I believe the Trinity in the Unity, the Creator of the universe.
Saint Patrick‘s Breastplate
I bind to myself today the virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism, the virtue of His crucifixion with His burial, the virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, the virtue of His coming on the Judgment Day.
I bind to myself today the virtue of the love of seraphim, in the obedience of angels, in the hope of resurrection unto reward, in prayers of patriarchs, in predictions of prophets, in preaching of apostles, in faith of confessors, in purity of holy virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today the power of heaven, the light of the sun, the brightness of the moon, the splendor of fire, the flashing of lightning, the swiftness of wind, the depth of sea, the stability of earth, the compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today God‘s power to guide me, God‘s might to uphold me, God‘s wisdom to teach me, God‘s eye to watch over me, God‘s ear to hear me, God‘s word to give me speech, God‘s hand to guide me, God‘s way to lie before me, God‘s shield to shelter me, God‘s host to secure me, against the snares of demons, against the seduction of vices, against the lusts of nature, against anyone who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues against every hostile merciless power which may assail my body and my soul.
Christ, protect me today against every poison, against burning, against drowning, against death-wound, that I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in the fort, Christ in the chariot seat, Christ in the poop deck, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today the strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity, I believe the Trinity in the Unity, the Creator of the universe.“
Saint Patrick, pray for us!