March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Although a lot of people go on and indulge in some drinking, we should remember this is a holiday commemorating a saint. Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. When Saint Patrick was 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland.
This experience strengthened his faith, as he found God. In a dream, God told him to flee to the coast, and doing so, he escaped from captivity. Saint Patrick went on to become a priest, and he returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands." Here are 6 prayers and Irish blessings to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Prayer
May the Strength of God pilot us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us
Against the snares of the evil ones,
Against temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.
To Be Said in the Morning
Christ be with me,
be after me,
be before me,
and be at my right and left hand.
May everything I do be for Christ.
A Guardian Angel
These things, I warmly wish for you-
Someone to love, some work to do,
A bit of o' sun, a bit o' cheer.
And a guardian angel always near.
Freshening Your Spirit
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
Wings of the Butterfly
May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
God and His Angels
May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
And Irish blessings in your heart!
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