Saint Patrick (397-493)
Apostle to Ireland
The Catholic Encyclopedia s.v. "Saint Patrick"
The Breastplate of Saint Patrick
also known as Saint Patrick's Lorica
I bind to myself this day
The strong virtue of the invocation of the Trinity,
The Faith of the Trinity in Unity,
The Creator of the ElementsI bind to myself this day
The power of the Incarnation of Christ and His Baptism,
The power of His Crucifixion with His Burial,
The power of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
In virtue of His coming to the sentence of the Judgment.I bind to myself this day
The power in the love of Seraphim,
In obedience of Angels,
In the hope of Resurrection unto reward.
In the prayers of the Patriarchs,
In the predictions of Prophets,
In the preaching of Apostles,
In the faith of Confessors,
In the purity of Virgins,
In the deeds of holy men.I bind to myself this day
The strength of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The whiteness of snow,
The force of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The hardness of rocks.I bind to myself this day
The Power of God to guide me,
The Might of God to uphold me,
The Wisdom of God to teach me,
The Eye of God to watch over me,
The Ear of God to hear me,
The Word of God to give me speech,
The Hand of God to protect me,
The Way of God to lie before me,
The Shield of God to shelter me,
The Host of God to defend meAgainst the snares of demons,
Against the temptation of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against every man that meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether alone, or with many.I have invoked all these virtues
Against every hostile, savage power
Warring upon my body and my soul,
Against the enchantments of false Prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, magicians, and Druids.
Against all knowledge which blinds the soul of man.Christ protect me this day
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
That I may receive abundant reward,
Christ be with me, Christ in the front,
Christ in the rear, Christ within me,
Christ below me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ at the helm,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.I bind to myself this day
The strong faith of the invocation of the Trinity,
The Faith of the Trinity in Unity,
The Creator of the elements.Salvation is the Lord's,
Salvation is the Lord's,
Salvation is from Christ,
Thy Salvation, O Lord, be with us forever.
