Patrick Prayers
The following are short prayers which may be attributed
to Saint Patrick, in his honour, or asking for his assistance.

The Deer's Cry | The Breastplate of St Patrick | Intercessions | Short Prayers | Litany of St Patrick |

The Deer's Cry
‘The Deer’s Cry’ which is also known as ‘The Breastplate of St Patrick’ was not written until three centuries after Patrick’s death, but it is inspired by his life. It is known as ‘The Deer’s Cry’ as there is a legend that St Patrick once turned himself into a deer to escape a king’s army.

 What we may sometimes pray as “The Breastplate” – Christ be with me, Christ before me…. - makes up only one-tenth of the full prayer.

The following version has been translated by Kumo Meyer
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.

I arise today / Through the strength of Christ’s birth 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 the Cherubim, / In obedience of angels, / In the service of the archangels, / In the hope of the resurrection to meet with reward, / In the prayers of patriarchs, / In the prediction of prophets, / In preaching of apostles, / In faith of confessors, / In innocence of holy virgins, / In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today / Through the strength of heaven; / Light of sun, / Radiance 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 before me, / God’s ear to hear me, / God’s word to speak to me, / God’s hand to guard me, / God’s way to lie before me, / God’s shield to protect me, / God’s host to save me, / From snares of devils, / From temptations of vices, / From ever one who shall wish me ill, / Afar and anear, / Alone and in a multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils. / Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, / Against incantations of false prophets, / Against black laws of pagandom, / Against false laws of heretics, / Against craft of idolatry, / Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, / Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ shield me today / Against poisoning, against burning, / Against drowning, against wounding, / So there come to me 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 hand, Christ on my left, / Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, / Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me, / Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to 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 in oneness, / Of the Creator of
Creation.
The Breastplate of St Patrick

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left.
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Salvation is of the Lord, salvation is of Christ,
May your salvation be ever with us.
Breastplate Intercessions
Leader: God of our loving Father, you take pleasure in showing us your constant love. We are confident in your presence with us today. Listen to these prayers we now present to you.
Reader: Christ be with me - The Patrician Brothers have contantly striven to reveal Christ to all. Open our eyes to the Christ in others.
Response:
 Christ before me, Christ behind me.
Reader:
 Christ beneath and above me - You knew my form from when I was young and wioll be with in my older years. Lord, continue to walk with me as my strength and stronghold through my journey in life.
Response: Christ before me, Christ behind me.
Reader:
 Christ where I lie, where I sit and where I arise -  Your message to us is that our lives make a difference. Lord, help us to live our lives on the model of Christ; to help make the Kingdom among his people a better place on earth.
Response: Christ before me, Christ behind me.
Reader:
 Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me - Lord help us to love unconditionally all in our community and who we come into contact with. We pray that we will bring some justice and equity by our actions to the poor, needy and destitute in society and that our hearts be open and welcoming, rather than cold and judgemental.
Response:
 Salvation is of Christ, Salvation is of the Lord.
Reader: Christ in the heart of every man who speaks to me - Lord, help us to further deepen our own faith and commitment to you by appreciating the power of prayer and increase the time in our lives when we pray.
Response: Salvation is of Christ, Salvation is of the Lord.
Reader: Christ in every eye that sees me and in every ear that hears me - Lord, we give thanks for the Patrician Brothers who have left the legacy in our schools to use our senses to listen to your voice and hear the needs of thers. We pray that these qualities and the virtue of 'serving others' will continue to be empowered in our communities in the future.
Response: Salvation is of Christ, Salvation is of the Lord.
Leader:
 Father, hear these prayers we offer you today. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:
 Amen.

- Contributed by Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield


Short Prayers

For Missionaries:

Dear St. Patrick,
in your humility you called yourself a sinner,
but you became a most successful missionary
and prompted countless pagans to follow the Saviour.
Many of their descendents in turn
spread the Good News in numerous foreign lands.
Through your powerful intercession with God,
obtain the missionaries we need
to continue the work you began.
Amen.

For Assistance:

O charitable shepherd, protector of souls,
take my soul and the souls of all Christians under your special care
and protect us from the effects of our sinfulness.
Your faithful preaching provided for us
the blessing of our religious instruction which we now enjoy;
help us to value it and to live it.
You taught the value of learning in our pursuit to come closer to God,
help us to see all our studies as an insight into you
and your love for us.
May we treasure God's gift of creation as you did
and do what we can to protect it.
Help us to be always aware
of Christ with us.
Litany of Saint Patrick

L.    Lord have mercy on us
R.    Lord have mercy on us.       

L.    Lord, have mercy on us.       
R.    Christ, have mercy on us.

L.    Christ, hear us.
R.    Christ, graciously hear us.

(Next Response: Have mercy on us.)
                   
God, the Father of heaven,
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit
Holy Trinity, one God,
                       
(Next Response: Pray for us) 
         
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
St. Patrick,
St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland,
St. Patrick, most worthy in God’s eyes,
St. Patrick, model of Bishops,
St. Patrick, enemy of infidelity,
St. Patrick, truly humble,
St. Patrick, always trying to do good,
St. Patrick, example of charity,
St. Patrick, patron of our Congregation,
St. Patrick, teacher of the true faith,
St. Patrick, our powerful protector,
St. Patrick, our compassionate helper

L.    Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
R.    Spare us, O Lord.

L.    Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
R.    Graciously hear us, O Lord.

L.    Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
R.    Have mercy on us.

L.    Pray for us, O glorious St. Patrick
R.    That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY:
O God, you sent your blessed servant St. Patrick, to teach and save the people of his time and place.  You gave our Patron a loving heart like your own.  You filled him with great faith and a burning desire to work hard for your kingdom.  Please listen when he prays for us, his sons.  Grant to us, though his intercession, a lively faith, a firm hope and a strong will to build your Kingdom. AMEN.