Catholic Prayer: "Breast Plate" Prayer (Lorica)
Description:
The most inspiring piece of St. Patrick's lore is the beautiful prayer called "Breast Plate" (Lorica). It is a morning prayer in early Irish. The Book of Armagh (ninth century) ascribes its authorship to the Saint. It might well be that Patrick actually composed this prayer. For many centuries now millions of faithful have used it with devotion. Here are some passages of this famous prayer in a traditional English version.
Prayer:
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 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 lead me . . . God's host to secure me, Against the snares of demons, Against the seductions of vices, Against the hosts of nature, Against everyone who meditates injury to me . . . 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 heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me . . .
Prayer Source: Holyday Book, The by Francis X. Weiser, S.J., Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York, 1956
