Laetare Sunday 3/14 was Pi Day, yesterday John 3:16 Day, and today St. Patrick's Day, which also happens to be my baptism day! Born in Christ!
Here's a hymn, translation of St. Patrick's breastplate, most beautifully sung by the Corpus Christi Male Chorale. It might be the best 5 minutes you spend today! A happy day to you!
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 today to me forever
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 star lit 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.
Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility.
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.
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 the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Text attr: Patrick, c. AD 372-466; Hymn by Cecil F. Alexander (AD 1818-1895); Music by Charles V. Stanford (AD 1852-1924)
7 comments:
Right back at you. Although not Irish, I carry an Irish surname by marriage ;)
Happy Baptism Day!
Mirka, I remember. I feel like an honorary Irish. Have you read How the Irish Saved Civilization? Wonderful book!!!
Carol, thank you. I am so honored and thankful my parents brought me to baptism. Even at my lowest point as an atheist, that little flame of love could not be extinguished. Grace upon grace bestowed upon me.
Happy New Birthday! :) I absolutely love this prayer...always gives me shivers and makes tears well up.
Thank you Faith. It is a powerful prayer too...when I've felt weak and weary singing this to myself has brought me such comfort in His protection.
St. Patrick is so unappreciated! Blessings to you and your walk of faith.
Thank you Trine. When I think of ST. Patrick's life, I am in awe of how he went back to Ireland to minister to them, even when he'd been enslaved by them. In his Confessions, he writes: “For daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises. But I fear nothing, because of the promises of Heaven; for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God, who reigns everywhere. As the prophet says: ‘Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.”
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