From My Nature Journal: St. Patrick, And Putting on the Armor of Christ

Saint Patrick’s Lorica, or ‘Breastplate,’ is a beautiful and ancient prayer attributed to the patron saint of Ireland. And with his feast day coming up soon on March 17, which isn’t just for the Irish, by the way, I thought it timely to share. Take this from a Chicagoan who was always flummoxed by those crazy St. Paddy’s Day revelers who insisted on dying the Chicago River green on parade day. Oh, those Irish…

At any rate, the Lorica is something worth much more serious consideration than green dye, shamrocks, bangers and the wearing of the green. But first, a few words about Patrick himself…

He lived in the 400’s AD (birth and death dates not known) and is believed to be the original evangelist to the Irish people. Kidnapped from Britain as a sixteen-year-old by a band of Irish marauders, he worked as a shepherd for several years, then was directed in a vision to go down to the sea at a certain time where a ship would rescue him to return him home. Some years later he returned to Ireland as a priest and missionary, experiencing amazing success leading the people to Christ and founding the Celtic church, which would include such later leaders as Columba, Brigit, Aidan and Brendan. Much unsubstantiated legend is attributed to him, as is the case with many persons in ancient times, but the irrefutable verity of his life and work is considerable. He is said to have utilized simple means to teach the people the truths of God, including his employment of Ireland’s ubiquitous cloverleaf as a symbol for the Trinity, represented in the icon to the left. As the icon also illustrates, he was further nicknamed “The Enlightener of Ireland;” however, his humility was such that he would certainly have objected to this, given the chance, preferring that designation only to the true light, Jesus Christ, with his own work simply as reflected light.

Now, the Lorica…

I’ve written before on some of the characteristics of Celtic spirituality, so you can click here to be taken to that post if you’d like, but one of its main themes is creation, and you will see some of that here in this great prayer. However, one of my other favorite emphases is Celtic Christianity’s concentration on the real presence of Christ to his people, shown here toward the prayer’s conclusion. Both of these are what have drawn me to this prayer again and again through the decades of my life.

The Bible speaks in Ephesians 6 of what is called ‘the whole armor of God.’ In that passage, the resources God provides his people are likened to armor that protects us from the onslaughts of the enemy of our souls, Satan. Just as the various pieces of armor in the ancient world protected warriors in battle -- just as it surrounded them with shelter, so to speak -- so is Jesus Christ to those who turn to him. A ‘lorica’ is an ancient piece of armor

meant to guard the chest and back. Made originally of heavy leather and later of metal, it consisted of two pieces, a front and back, intended to be connected, in order to surround the upper body from all sides. Jesus becomes our lorica, or breastplate, the One who guards our hearts and minds with his peace (Philippians 4:7). But back to Ephesians 6, the armor that is available to give us this protection are such things as righteousness, truth and faith, in addition to that same peace spoken of in Philippians. These are the things that shield us in our storms and ‘battles.’ And similarly, it is this surrounding, enveloping, fully present Jesus Christ, spoken of near the end of the prayer, who gives us the confidence of his safeguarding attention at all times.

Personally, I’ve often used the Lorica as a morning prayer, and though I have abridged it here, I commend it to you for use at that time or any time in which you find yourself needing to pray for protection. Interestingly, the prayer is also known as The Cry of the Deer, a reference to an apocryphal legend associated with it. While you read or pray, you may want to listen to a lovely soundtrack based on the prayer out of the Celtic Woman series, called The Deer’s Cry. Hit this link to be taken to the YouTube recording, worth it in itself.

St. Patrick’s Lorica

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 heaven,

The light of the sun,

The radiance of the moon,

The splendor of fire,

The speed of lightning,

The swiftness of wind,

The depth of the sea,

The stability of the earth,

The 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 for me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s shield to protect me,

God’s post to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptation of vices,

From inclinations of nature,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

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 where I lie down,

Christ where I sit down,

Christ where I arise,

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 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.

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of Christ.

May thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

A longtime pastor friend, now deceased, often used a benediction at the end of his church’s worship services that he had based on the end of the Lorica. I don’t know if it was original to him, but it is where I first heard it. It went something like this:

And now as you go your way,

May Christ go with you:

Above you to watch over you,

Beneath you to bear you up,

Before you to lead you,

Behind you to urge you on,

Inside you to guide you,

And beside you to be your Friend.

In honor of my friend Ross, and simply because it is a beautiful blessing, I have also used it often over the years to close a worship time. May St. Patrick’s Breastplate and this simple related blessing also bring you confidence, courage and shelter during the hard journey.

~~ RGM, March 10, 2016