March 17, 2011 (2)

The Feast of Saint Patrick

Did you know...?
     ...Saint Patrick first lived in Ireland after he was captured and held there as a slave. He escaped captivity and fled the country, returning years later after becoming an ordained Bishop.
     ...Saint Patrick is now the patron saint of Ireland. In the dioceses there, March 17 is both a holy day of obligation and solemnitity.
     ...Saint Patrick is known for teaching the Irish about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a three-leafed clover, using it to illustrate the Christian teaching of 'three divine persons in the one God.' For this reason, shamrocks have become a central symbol for Saint Patrick's day.

The Prayer of Saint Patrick

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 the mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.