St. Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself this day

the strong name of the Trinity,

by invocation of the same, the

Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever,

by power of faith, Christ's incarnation:

His baptism in the Jordan River;

His death on the cross for my

salvation; His bursting from the

spiced tomb; His riding up the

heavenly way; His coming on the

day of doom;

I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of

the great love of CHerubim; the sweet

"Well Done" in judgment hour;

the service of the Seraphim,

Confessor's faith, Apostles' word,

the Patriarch's prayers, the

Prophet's scrolls; all good deeds

done unto the Lord, and

purity of simple souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues

of the starlit heaven, the glorious

sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness

of the moon at even, the flashing of

the lightning free, the whirling wind's

tempestuous shocks, the stable earth,

the deep salt sea, around

the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power

of God to hold and lead, his eye to

watch, his might to stay,

his ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

his hand to guide, his shield to ward;

the Word of God to give me speech,

his heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,

the vice that gives temptation force,

the natural lusts that war within,

the hostile ones that mar my course;

or few or many, far or nigh,

in every place, and in all hours,

against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

against false words of heresy,

aginst the knowledge that defiles,

against the heart's idolatry,

against the wizard's evil craft,

against the death wound and

the burning, the choking wave

and poisoned shaft, protech me Christ,

till your returning.

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.

I bind unto myself the Name,

the strong Name of the Trinity;

by invocation of the same:

The Three in One,

and One in Three,

of whom all nature has creation:

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word,

praise to the Lord of my salvation,

salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Amen.

Reset April 5, 1999