Thursday, March 17, 2011

St. Patrick's Breastplate

A St. Patrick's Day Meditation, from St. Patrick himself (according to tradition). Note the devotion. Note how he submits to doctrine. We may have our doctrine straight, but do we bind ourselves to it the way he did? I think our lives would be much different if we did.

By the way, this is an example of an excellent creed. A creed is a succinct statement of belief that is influenced heavily by scripture. Creeds promote unity within the body of believers and help us to live out our faith.


St. Patrick's Breastplate
I bind to myself today The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity: I believe the Trinity in the Unity The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism, The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial, The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today The virtue of the love of seraphim, In the obedience of angels, In the hope of resurrection unto reward, In prayers of Patriarchs, In predictions of Prophets, In preaching of Apostles, In faith of Confessors, In purity of holy Virgins, In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today The power of Heaven, The light of the sun, The brightness of the moon, The splendour of fire, The flashing of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of sea, The stability of earth, The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today God's Power to guide me, God's Might to uphold me, God's Wisdom to teach me, God's Eye to watch over me, God's Ear to hear me, God's Word to give me speech, God's Hand to guide me, God's Way to lie before me, God's Shield to shelter me, God's Host to secure me, Against the snares of demons, Against the seductions of vices.
— March, year unknown, mid to end 5th century[
Christopher M. Jimenez. Powered by Blogger.

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