Quotations for March 17th

From: The Confession (beginning and end):

I am Patrick, a sinner, most unlearned, the least of all the faithful, and utterly despised by many. [...]

I pray those who believe and fear God, whosoever deigns to look at or receive this writing which Patrick, a sinner, unlearned, has composed in Ireland, that no one should ever say that it was my ignorance if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God's good pleasure; but let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that - as is the perfect truth - it was the gift of God. This is my confession before I die.

From: The Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus (last three paragraphs):

Where, then, will Coroticus with his criminals, rebels against Christ, where will they see themselves, they who distribute baptized women as prizes - for a miserable temporal kingdom, which will pass away in a moment? As a cloud or smoke that is dispersed by the wind, so shall the deceitful wicked perish at the presence of the Lord; but the just shall feast with great constancy with Christ, they shall judge nations, and rule over wicked kings for ever and ever. Amen.

I testify before God and His angels that it will be so as He indicated to my ignorance. It is not my words that I have set forth in Latin, but those of God and the apostles and prophets, who have never lied. "He that believes shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be condemned," God hath spoken.

I ask earnestly that whoever is a willing servant of God be a carrier of this letter, so that on no account it be suppressed or hidden by anyone, but rather be read before all the people, and in the presence of Coroticus himself. May God inspire them sometime to recover their senses for God, repenting, however late, their heinous deeds - murderers of the brethren of the Lord! - and to set free the baptized women whom they took captive, in order that they may deserve to live to God, and be made whole, here and in eternity! Be peace to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"The Breastplate"

Rebecca Writes: July 2005 (Scoll to bottom and then up):

"Sunday's Hymn: Reader's Choice / This Sunday's featured favourite hymn was chosen by Scott G. Tradition says that this prayer was composed by Saint Patrick in the year 433. It was sung in the monasteries and churches throughout Ireland by the 8th century.

Today it is used as a hymn in Christian churches of many denominations, and is known by several names: St. Patrick's Breastplate, the Lorica*, the Deer's Cry, or I Bind Unto Myself. This version of the hymn was translated from the Gaelic by Cecil Alexander in 1889.
St. Patrick's Breastplate

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 today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced 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 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 star lit 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, 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.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

---Listen.

* "Breastplate" is more or less a translation of the word lorica--a piece of ancient armour. The word also came to mean something more mystical: a spiritual protection or magical personal protection charm.

Get your favorite hymn on the list to be featured by adding it here.

Links to Writings:

Online:

These seem to be the most readible: Letter and Confession

Sorry about the denominational nature of the site.

Will be copying to our own web space soon, Lord willing.

Books:

The Steadfast Man contains the writings as an appendix and is a well written, thoroughly researched biography as well.

Confession and Letter for $6.25 - looks okay

And the Confession, particularly, seems to be showing up in public libraries these days.

More later, Lord willing.

Happy Birthday, Bard from Tralee

The Bard from Tralee (not to be confused with the Rose of Tralee) was actually born on the seventeenth of March.

But, very sadly, the birth of the Bard was officially recorded as being on the eighteenth of March and propriety demands that birthdays be celebrated on official dates of birth.

So we celebrate the birth of the Bard from Tralee on the eighteenth of March.

The difficulty in recording the date of birth properly was undoubtedly due to the fact: that, in those days, in County Kerry, they had no calendars.

Web Log Dedication

This Web Log is dedicated to all the Irish, whether domiciled on the Emerald Isle or dispersed thoughout the World.

They are the First Family of the First Primate of All Ireland.

And by them the memory of the Apostle to the Irish has been kept fresh, and Green.

Prospectus

There are only 364 days left before Saint Patrick's Day.

Resolve now to study the Confessio and the Epistola.

Resolve now to meet with friends four times a year to read and discuss these works.

Resolve now to contact the local Parade committee for instructions in making your attachment both public and locally official on an annual basis.

I am Patrick, a sinner, very rustic, and least of all the faithful, and very contemptible in the estimation of most people, [ ... ]

That is my kind of saint!

Is he your kind of saint?

Act now!

Remember:

There are only 364 days left before Saint Patrick's Day.