SAINT PATRICK
AND
HIS DAY
Saint Patrick :
Also known as Maewyn Succat; Apostle of Ireland; Patricius; Patrizio ~ Memorial: 17 March
Profile:
Kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. Sent to the mountains as a shepherd, he spent his time in prayer. After six years of this life, he had a dream in which he received a command to return to Britain; seeing it as a sign, he escaped. Studied in continental monasteries. Priest. Bishop. Sent by Pope Saint Celestine to evangelize England, then Ireland, during which his chariot driver was Saint Odran, and Saint Jarlath was one of his spiritual students. In 33 years he effectively converted the Ireland. In the Middle Ages Ireland became known as the Land of Saints, and during the Dark Ages its monasteries were the great repositories of learning in Europe, all a consequence of Patrick's ministry. Born 387-390 at Scotland as Maewyn Succat
Died 461-464 at Saul, County Down, Ireland
Canonized... pre-congregation, meaning that the pronouncement was made before good written records.
Name Meaning warlike (Succat - pagan birth name);noble (Patricius - baptismal name)
His Patronage:
against snakes, engineers, "excluded people", fear of snakes, and a range of several spiritual sees, including of course, all of Ireland.
Representation: bishop driving snakes before him; bishop trampling on snakes; shamrock; snakes; cross; harp; demons; baptismal font
Images Gallery of images of Saint Patrick at CatholicForum.com and other Church and Celt sites online...have a fun search!
too little was known of Saint Patrick, and at one time , he was thought to be a fiction, an invention to explain the Christianization of his part of the world. However we know his profile much more accurately now, thanks to modern data manipulation. I want to spend myself for that country, even in death, if the Lord should grant me this favor.
It is among that people that I want to wait for the promise made by him, who assuredly never tells a lie.
He makes this promise in the Gospel:
"They shall come from the east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
This is our faith: believers are to come from the whole world.
... from" the Confession of Saint Patrick"
saint patrick, per catholicforum.com:
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"LORICA" or "BREASTPLATE" or "FAED FIADA", meaning "DEER'S CRY"
Morning prayer of Saint Patrick,
Translation by Kuno Meyer
- found at DomesticChurch.com
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's birth 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 judgement of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of the Cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of the resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In prediction of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of sun,
Radiance 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 to me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me,
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From every one who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose 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 to shield me today
Against poisoning, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So there come to me 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 when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye of every one who 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.
...one of dozens of translations from the early Celt
...the prayer is a very famous one...meant to empower! Apparently it was used among Saint Patrick and his followers during times of danger and persecution.
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