Author Topic: St Patrick (Read 1066 times)

Binechi · « **on:** March 17, 2015, 09:40:41 AM »

St. Patrick of Ireland

Born, most likely, in France, in Little Brittany, on the coast of Leon, about the year 373. He was carried into captivity by certain barbarians, who took him to Ireland. It was there he laid the foundation of a sanctity which made him one of the greatest apostles and patrons of Holy Church. Having received his mission from Pope Celestine, and being consecrated a Bishop, he converted the whole of Ireland, and filled the country with churches and schools of piety and learning. He died and was buried at Down, in Ulster, in the year 464, at the age of ninety-two.

Binechi · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2015, 10:00:46 AM »

St. Patrick's Day

All praise to Saint Patrick, who brought to our mountains
The gift of God's faith, the sweet light of His love!
All praise to the shepherd who showed us the fountains
That rise in the heart of the Saviour above!
For hundreds of years, in smiles and in tears,
Our Saint has been with us, our shield and our stay;
All else may have gone, Saint Patrick alone,
He hath been to us light when earth's lights were all set,
For the glories of Faith they can never decay;
And the best of our glories is bright with us yet,
In the faith and the feast of Saint Patrick's Day.

There is not a Saint in the bright courts of heaven
More faithful than he to the land of his choice:
Oh, well may the nation to whom he was given,
In the feast of their sire and aposlte rejoice!
In glory above, true to his love,
He keeps the false faith from his children away:
The dark false faith, that is worse than death,
Oh! he drives it far off from the green sunny shore,
Like the reptiles which fled from his curse in dismay;
And Erin, when error's proud triumph is o'er,
Will still be found keeping Saint Patrick's Day.

Then what shall we do for thee, heaven-sent Father?
What shall the proof of our loyalty be?
By all that is dear to our hearts, we would rather
Be martyred, sweet Saint! than bring shame upon thee!
But oh! he will take the promise we make,
So to live that our lives by God's help may display
The light that he bore to Erin's shore:
Yes, Father of Ireland! no child wilt thou own,
Whose life is not lighted by grace on its way;
For they are true Irish, oh yes! they alone,
Whose hearts are all true on Saint Patrick's Day.

magdalena · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:50:45 PM »

St. Patrick journeying to Tara

magdalena · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:58:02 PM »

St. Patrick's "Breastplate" Prayer

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the 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.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the 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.

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 wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

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.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

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.

I bind unto myself the Name,
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:pp
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

_______________________________________

* Note: "day of doom" is an Old English term meaning "Day of Judgment." _______________________________________

Nadir · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2015, 03:29:01 PM »

Another version of his life:

St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, 17 March

Born a Roman in Scotland about 390, at 15 Patrick was sold as a slave by Irish pirates. Patrick's 6 years of cruel captivity became a preparation for his future apostolate. His love of God increased; he perfected the Celtic tongue and, from his master, a Druid priest, learned about Druidism from which he would liberate the Irish race. He fled his cruel master, found a ship ready to sail and soon was back in Britain, his heart set on becoming a priest. Patrick's thoughts turned to Ireland, and he had visions of children who cried to him: "O holy youth, come back to Erin, and walk once more amongst us."

The Pope entrusted Patrick with the mission of gathering the Irish into the one fold of Christ. In 433, Patrick and his companions landed in Ireland. First he proceeded to Dalriada where he had been a slave, then he halted at the River Boyne where he performed his first miracle on Irish soil to confirm the honour due to the Blessed Virgin, and the Divine birth of our Saviour. A chieftain, named Dichu, drew his sword to smite Patrick, but his arm became rigid and stayed so until he submitted to Patrick. Overcome by Patrick's meekness and miracles, Dichu asked for instruction and made a gift of a sabhall (barn), in which the sacred mysteries were offered. This hallowed site is called Sabhall to this day.

St Patrick learned from Dichu that Erin’s chiefs had been summoned by the King. Here was a chance Patrick would not forego; he would present himself before the assembly, strike a decisive blow against Druidism that enslaved the nation, and secure freedom for the Gospel of Redemption which he heralded.

On Easter Eve 433, the decree went forth that fires throughout the kingdom should be extinguished until the signal blaze was kindled at the royal mansion. The chiefs, Brehons and druids came in droves to combine their strength to defeat the herald of good tidings and to secure their hold on the Celtic race, for the demoniac oracles had declared that the Christ’s messenger had come to Erin.

St Patrick arrived and on the summit of the hill kindled the Paschal fire. The druids at once raised their voice: "O King, live forever; this fire, which has been lighted in defiance of the royal edict, will blaze forever in this land unless it be this very night extinguished." Repeated attempts were made to extinguish the blessed fire and to slaughter the intruder who disobeyed the royal command. But the fire was not extinguished and Patrick shielded by Divine power came unscathed from their snares and assaults. On Easter Day the missionary band with St Patrick arrayed in full episcopal attire, went in procession to Tara. St Patrick is said to have picked a shamrock to explain to the chieftains, by its triple leaf and single stem, the great doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. On that bright Easter Day, the triumph of religion at Tara was complete. The prayer and faith of Patrick achieved a glorious triumph. The King granted permission to Patrick to preach the Faith throughout the length and breadth of Erin, and the druidical prophecy would be fulfilled: the sacred fire now kindled by the saint would never be extinguished.

Nadir · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2015, 03:50:30 PM »

Irish Blessings: St. Patricks Breastplate John Doan Harp Guitar

Not the hymn, but narrative and stirring guitar work. Certainly worth the 9 mins:

SINGING NUNS - The Lorica Of St. Patrick

magdalena · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2015, 06:24:20 PM »

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/embed/WJ0aINUzMSU[/youtube]

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

magdalena · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2015, 06:42:21 PM »

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Patrick.html