saint patrick's breastplate

(An ancient Irish prayer, also known as "The Lorica," or "The Deer's Cry.)


I arise today
through a mighty strength
the invocation of the Trinity
through belief in the Threeness
through confession of the Oneness
towards the Creator.

I arise today
through the strength of Christ
with his baptism
through the strength of his crucifixion
with his burial
through the strength of his resurrection
with his ascension
through the strength of his descent
for the judgement of doom

I arise today
through the strength of the love of cherubim
in obedience of angels
in the service of the archangels
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward
in prayer of patriarchs
in predictions of prophets
in preachings of apostles
into faiths of confessors
in innocence of holy virgins
in deeds of righteous men

I arise today
through the strength of heaven
light of sun
brilliance of moon
splendour of fire
speed of lightning
swiftness of wind
depth of sea
stability of earth
firmness of rock

I arise today
through God's strength to pilot me
God's might to uphold me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's eye to look ahead of me
God's ear to hear me
God's word to speak for me
God's hand to guard me
God's way to stretch before me
God's shield to protect me
God's host to secure me
against snares of devils
against temptations of vices
against inclinations of nature
against everyone who shall wish me ill
afar and anear
alone and in a crowd

I summon today all these powers
between me and those evils
against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul
against incantations of false prophets
against black laws of heathenry
against false laws of heretics
against craft of idolotry
against spells of women and smiths and wizards
against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul

Christ to protect me today
against poison against burning
against drowning against wounding
so that there may come abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ where I lie down, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me

I arise today
through a mighty strength
the invocation of the Trinity
through belief in the Threeness
through confession of the Oneness
towards the Creator

Salvation is of the Lord
Salvation is of the Lord
Salvation is of Christ
May thy salvation Oh Lord be ever with us


(Translated in the year 1903 from ninth century Irish by W Stokes and J Strachan with later modifications by Ludwig Bieler. Taken from the Floris Books 1992 publication "Saint Patrick," edited by Iain MacDonald. The style of Irish is said to be earlier than ninth century so some believe the prayer might indeed have come direct to us from Saint Patrick himself. The word Lorica is old Irish for breastplate, a type of armour.)