Patrick (385-461) arrived in Ireland to begin his missionary work in 432. He faced fierce opposition over the next thirty years particularly from Druids, sorcerers who practiced dark magic and cast evil spells on people. They made repeated attempts on Patrick’s life and frequently obstructed this mission. He wrote in his autobiography, “Daily, I expect murder, fraud or captivity but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself onto the hands of Almighty God, who reigns everywhere.”
Patrick died on this date in 461. St. Patrick’s Day has suffered a similar fate to Christmas and the day bears little resemblance to the one for whom it is named.
Today’s prayer is a continuation of yesterday’s breastplate prayer. It utilizes Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6 to “put on the whole armor of God…including the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6.11, 14). Patrick expresses confidence that God will protect him “from every fierce, merciless force that may come upon my body and soul, incantations of false people, black laws of paganism, deceit of idolaters, spells of Druids.” The prayer expresses in typical Celtic fashion God’s hedge of protection around the person who prays. Christ behind and before. Christ beneath and above. Christ beside to win me: