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Patron Saint

Parish LifePatron Saint
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Saint Patrick of Ireland

Feast Day: March 17

Birth: 387 in Roman Britain Death: 461 Feast Day: March 17th   Patron of Ireland St. Patrick of Ireland is our patron saint; and is one of the most popularly known saints in the world. Hence, St. Patrick’s Day. At the age of fourteen, he was captured by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep, which lasted until he was twenty years old. At which time, he escaped his captivity after a dream where the Lord told him to leave Ireland by going to the coast. Providentially, he ran into to some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he was reunited with his family. According to Catholic Online, after he returned home St. Patrick noted a vision he had as he relayed in his personal journal as follows: “I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: ‘The Voice of the Irish.’ As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea-and they cried out, as with one voice: ‘We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.'”   This encounter initiated Patrick’s vocation as a priest. He was ordained in 432 by St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre. Years later, St. Patrick was ordained as a bishop and was sent to Ireland to preach the good news of the Gospel. There are many stories and legends about St. Patrick, including the legend that he chased away all the snakes of Ireland. He was known to use the shamrock as a visual way to help others understand the Holy Trinity. The shamrock today is part of the Mary Garden, which is known to represent the Holy Trinity in the garden as a way of praising God. Patrick served in Ireland for forty years; and work many miracles. He died on March 17, 461 A.D. Many of his writings continue to inspire many of the faithful today. A portion of one of his prayers, known as St. Patrick’s Breast Plate, can be seen on our beautiful church walls.

St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

Here is a literal translation from the old Irish text taken from the online website, New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia, which clearly shows his love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and how he wraps himself up in Christ’s love and mercy:
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. 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 Judgement 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 splendour 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 seductions of vices, Against the lusts of nature, Against everyone 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, Against the incantations of false prophets, Against the black laws of heathenism, Against the false laws of heresy, Against the deceits of idolatry, Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids, Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man. 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.

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