Who Is The Real Saint Patrick?

St. Patrick’s Famous Prayer

But first … Who Is The Real St. Patrick

When thinking of St. Patty’s Day most people think of the Irish, green beer and leprechauns. But did you know that St. Patrick’s Day is actually named after a real person? Not just any ol’ person either. He is a canonized Saint! And thanks to St. Patrick we have another glorious day to celebrate along with the Irish. So then, who is this real St. Patrick?

St. Patrick was born towards the close of the fourth century in a village called Bonaven Taberniae, which appears to be the town of Kilpatrick on the mouth of the river Clyde in Scotland. In his sixteenth year, St. Patrick was carried into captivity by barbarians who took him into Ireland. Here he was forced to shepherd cattle in the mountains. After six months of slavery, St. Patrick was given the gift of being advised by God in a dream. He was told by God to return to his own country and he obliged. But some years after returning to his homeland, St. Patrick was again made captive. Fortunately, he quickly regained his freedom after only two months in captivity.

When St. Patrick was home with his parents, God started revealing to him many visions. In particular, He began indicating how He destined the saint to the great work of converting Ireland. Sometime after these visions, St. Patrick left his family and consecrated his soul to God. He made a solemn promise to carry the Lord’s Name to all ends of the earth.

St. Patrick set off for Ireland to preach the Gospel where the worship of idols was still being practiced. He devoted himself entirely to the salvation of the pagans, traveling over the whole island baptizing an infinite number of people and instituting a monastic life. From the thousands he baptized, He took nothing from them.

St. Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock to preach the meaning of the Holy Trinity and its three Persons in one doctrine. Legend has it that, inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Patrick reportedly raised as many as 33 people from the dead. It is also believed that he is responsible for driving all the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea. When St. Patrick passed away, he was buried at Down in Ulster. His body was later found there in a Church of his name in 1185.

Feast Day

Feast Day: March 17
Name Meaning: “The Noble One”
Patron Saint of: Ireland, Snakebites

Hail, Glorious St. Patrick – Powerful Prayer

Hail, glorious St. Patrick!
We honor your name,
tho’ Erin may claim you,
the world knows your fame.
The faith of our fathers is
our treasure too,
How holy the thought,
that they learned it from you.
Thru crosses and trials its
fires burn bright,
they show us the way,
and the truth,
and the light.
Great Saint!
Intercede, that we always
may be devoted and loyal,
true children of yours.
Our love and devotion be
ever like yours,
Our thought be of Jesus,
our heart be His shrine.
And when to the end of
life’s path we have trod,
be near us great Bishop,
Anointed of God.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer

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 judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The 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 for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and 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 witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an 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 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.

[Note that people sometimes pray a shorter version of this prayer just with these 15 lines about Christ above. The conclusion follows below.]

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.
Amen.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Have you missed any Lenten Meditations lately, click here for the full 40 Days of Lenten Prayer
See also:
7 Best Psalms to Pray During Lent
Most Powerful Psalm of Protection: Psalm 91
The Warrior’s Prayer: Putting on the Armor of God
10 Best Psalms of Praise and Thanksgiving
19 Best Psalms for Healing
7 Powerful Psalms for a Financial Breakthrough
28 Best Bible Verses for Answered Prayer
Powerful Prayer for a Miracle
The Warriors Prayer: Putting on the Armor of God
3 Powerful Psalms for Forgiveness
19 Most Powerful Psalms for Healing
18 Best Bible Verses for Financial Prosperity

What will St. Patrick protect you from?

St. Patrick will protect you from false prophets, heathens, heretics, witches and wizards.