Saint Patrick's Breastplate (Lorica)

Saint Patrick's Morning Prayer of Protection

Saint Patrick
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A Lorica is a prayer recited for protection, a practice that originated in the Christian monastic tradition. The literal translation of lorica is breastplate--a garment worn for protection in battle. In the chivalric tradition, knights often inscribed prayers onto their shields or other protective armor and recited these prayers before going into battle. For Christians, a lorica is recited in order to invoke God's power as protection against evil. 

The Lorica of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is best known for only one of its verses (the one that begins "Christ with me"). But the full version, printed here, incorporates all the elements of Catholic morning prayer: It is an Act of Faith (expressing the Catholic teaching on the Trinity and on Christ); an Act of Hope (in God's protection throughout the day and throughout life, as well as in eternal salvation); and an Act of Charity (in the love expressed for God). It is, therefore, an ideal morning prayer, especially for those who have a devotion to Saint Patrick.

Tradition suggests that this popular prayer was written by Patrick himself in 433 CE, but modern scholars now consider it to be the work of an anonymous author that was probably written in the eighth century CE. 

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 witches 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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Richert, Scott P. "Saint Patrick's Breastplate (Lorica)." Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/the-breastplate-of-saint-patrick-542668. Richert, Scott P. (2023, April 5). Saint Patrick's Breastplate (Lorica). Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/the-breastplate-of-saint-patrick-542668 Richert, Scott P. "Saint Patrick's Breastplate (Lorica)." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/the-breastplate-of-saint-patrick-542668 (accessed April 26, 2024).