Today is the feast of St. Patrick. He was a missionary who was credited with converting Ireland to Christianity. St. Patrick came to Ireland to tell the Irish people the good news about Jesus Christ. He used a small three-leafed plant, the shamrock to explain the Trinity. He said: just as the shamrock has three leaves so one God is three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
SJA Students are encouraged to wear Green & White clothes on this day!
Today is a religious feast day but it has also become an international festival. Many people across the globe who are Irish or Irish at heart celebrate Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day with parades, dancing, special foods, and wearing green. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Prayer of St. Patrick
I arise today through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the 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 way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today
Against wounding.
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 in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today Through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.
Amen.