Jeffrey Bruno . Photographer . WEB
The Lorica of Saint Patrick
Also known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate
is a protection prayer St. Patrick wrote in the fourth century.
According EWTN’s Catholic Q&A, “it is believed that St. Patrick and his followers sang this magnificent prayer when traveling to pagan communities.”
“There were Catholics in Ireland when St. Patrick arrived, but he completed the conversion of the entire isle to the Catholic faith. His missionaries then traveled, usually in groups of 12, to England and all over the European continent, bringing the word of God and converting pagans to the Catholic Church.”
We often see the bottom portion of this prayer, but it is much longer than that! Below is the longer version. It is great for daily use!
Lorica of St. 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.