Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Foot-steps and Paw Prints in the Pollen

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Today is also the anniversary of my baptism and what an auspicious date to be brought into the life of Christ! I will always be thankful to my mother and father for this because I couldn't have done it on my own. I was like the paralytic who needed to be brought in by his friends and lowered through the roof to be healed by Jesus. We always celebrate the date of our reception (Apr. 11) into the Holy Roman Catholic Church. It is also the Feast of St. Gemma Galgani. I didn't even know of her existence until just two years ago. A dear friend introduced me to her because of the chronic migraines and I will always be grateful she acted upon her inner promptings. I do believe we have them for a reason! Coincidentally, St. Gemma died on Easter Vigil (this is when catechumens are baptized, confirmed and receive first Holy Communion). I believe she will be a special companion to our children as she's for me. There is such a joy in having heavenly friends on this earthly journey. 

But I digress. Here is St. Patrick's Breastplate: I bind unto myself -- I love it. Be sure to listen to the very end (there's a descant at the end. It's my favorite recording). How often I've sung it to myself when ill. It is powerful. I can fear no evil even in my weakness.

By God's grace and your prayers I'm doing so much better and happily practicing new music for Triduum. For those observing Lent, it's almost over ... I hope it's been happy and fruitful. This Lent has been hard and long for us but I look forward to celebrating our 7th anniversary of reception into Holy Mother Church and welcoming all the Neophytes. Our prayers are with you.

Hymn of St. Patrick -- lyrics for you to sing along :)

I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever,
by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
his baptism in Jordan river;
his death on cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spicèd tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors' faith, apostles' word,
the patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven
the glorious sun's life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken, to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.

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.

I bind unto myself today
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.