Sr. Bernie Claps, a Sister of Bon Secours who serves in ministry at the Retreat & Conference Center, recently shared that St. Patrick’s Breastplate is one of her favorite prayers. We often only associate it with St. Patrick’s Day in March, but it certainly is something that we should carry with us throughout the year. As Sr. Bernie says, “Jesus is always surrounding us with his love and care” and this is a wonderful reminder! May you have a moment to slow down, to breathe, and to reflect on the presence of the Spirit all around you.
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 when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone 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
of the Creator of creation.
*Note: this is an abbreviated version of the complete prayer. You can find the complete prayer here.