Before March is over, I’d like to present this beautiful prayer by Saint Patrick. It is also known as “The Deer’s Cry.” This is a literal translation from the Old Irish text. Saint Patrick, pray for us!
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 smiths and wizards
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 boat
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
Amen
*** THE BREASTPLATE OF SAINT PATRICK PDF Printable ***
This prayer was taken from Emerald Isle, which also tells part of Saint Patrick’s story.