The Breastplate of St Patrick
This prayer, also called the “Lorica” is a beautiful adaptation of the ancient Irish prayer, attributed to Saint Patrick. The well-known hymnist Cecil Alexander translated and adapted this prayer into poetic verse in 1889. It was later adapted to the Anglican Prayer Beads, and it is in this form you find it here! Many other variations of this prayer are available to those interested.
Crucifix:
I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Invitatory:
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.
First Cruciform Bead:
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
First Week:
I bind this day to me for ever, 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.
Second Cruciform Bead:
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Second Week:
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.
Third Cruciform Bead:
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Third Week:
I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling of the wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.
Fourth Cruciform Bead:
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Fourth Week:
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.
Final Cruciform Bead:
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Benediction (To be recited on the Invitatory Bead):
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to Judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting.
Amen.
Crucifix:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen
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Return to our contents page, The Cruciform Prayer, here!