We are always in need of the peace which only Christ can give—but we don't always know it.

We are usually too distracted by life to allow ourselves the quiet space we need to hear the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-13) of our holy God.

During situations like this—the current global pandemic—we realize how much we need the peace of Christ.

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St. Patrick, the "Apostle of Ireland," has a prayer that we can turn to. It is a powerful prayer—one that some people like to pray daily. Its beauty and depth are a gateway to peace and hope. (If you are looking for St. Patrick devotionals, you can find them here.)

On this, his feast day, let's pray The Breastplate of St. Patrick, also known as "The Lorica of St. Patrick" or "St. Patrick's Hymn."

The Breastplate of St. Patrick

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

The beautiful prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as 'St. Patrick's Breast-Plate' is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over Paganism. The following is a literal translation from the old Irish text...

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,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Amen.

St. Patrick, pray for us.

Jesus, Lover of Souls, have mercy on us.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

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Challenging situations are wakeup calls that give us the opportunity for interior conversion. In this way, difficulties become channels of grace. God can make something good out of anything!

Let us pray, repent of our sins, and live in peace. Let us have charity and generosity, look out for those around us, and forget no one in our prayers.

Let us turn to God as our Father. Let us even have joy.

Will you join us in praying this prayer as we seek God's mercy in the struggle against the Coronavirus?

How are you praying this Lent for the world's needs (spiritual and physical) in the midst of this challenging time?