Saint Patrick's Breastplate

Saint Patrick's Breastplate 
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Patrick.  He was a humble, pious, gentle man, who had great love and total devotion to and trust in God. He knew God's mission for him was for the conversion of the people of Ireland.

He was a bishop and missionary who was once a slave. He wrote of his love for God in Confessions of Saint Patrick. Through his teachings and travels throughout Ireland, he endured poverty and great suffering. Many miracles were attributed to him. He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity  He became known for his life of sacrifice, prayer and fasting.

Let us pray to Saint Patrick for the the government of Ireland and the conversion of the people of Ireland that they will turn back to the Lord and end abortion. Let us pray for the government of the United States and the conversion of the people of the United States and all countries from a culture of death to a culture of life. Let us ask Saint Patrick to give us his missionary spirit to "speak the truth in love" to those we encounter and bring them the Love of Jesus. Let us pray for those who are enslaved, persecuted and marginalized in our world today and for all those who are most vulnerable, especially the unborn. 

"May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the Word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and forever more." Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick, courageous missionary, teach us to speak the truth in love as you did and pray for us and all families for whom we pray.