Forgotten Ground Regained
The Song of St. Patrick
Poem reprinted from A Verse Vigil and Selected Poem . Based on the 5th-century prayer attributed to the saint.
I arise today in the righteousness of Godby invocation of His name, by calling on the Trinity,by faith in the Threeness, confessing the Onenessof the Creator of all created things.
I arise today in the righteousness of Godby the strength of the birth and baptism of Christ,by the bloody crucifixion and the burial of Christ,by the strength of His resurrection and ascension into heaven,and by His just descent on Judgment Day.
I arise today in the righteousness of Godin the love of seraphim, in the strength of cherubim,through the service of archangels and angels who obey,in the hope of resurrection to the realm of light,in the prophecies of prophets, in the preaching of apostles,in the faith of confessors as they face their foes,in deeds of love by dutiful believers.
I arise today in the righteousness of Godthrough heaven’s strength and the sun’s light,through splendor of fire and speed of lightning,through swiftness of wind and the sea’s depth,through earth’s stability and boulders’ firmness.
I arise today in the righteousness of Godthrough the strength of God to steer my steps,the wisdom of God to guide my way,His eye to watch wherever I go,His ear to hear me, His honest wordto be my voice, His valiant handto guard my walk in the godly wayHe lays before my feet as long as I live;His shield to shelter me, His shining hostto rescue me from snares set by Satan, from sin’s seductions, from deadly desires,from all who seek my injury and shame,whether few or many, whether far or near.
All these virtues I invoke todayto stand between me and evil, against every cruel and merciless power opposing my body,assailing my soul; against spells and incantationsof false prophets, against pagan practices,and the lying, false laws of heresy,against the deceits of idolatry and the spells of druids,against every force that confines the bodyand every power that depraves the soul.Christ be my shield and shelter todayagainst poison and drowning and death-wound and burningthat Your reward, O Christ, may come to me abundantly.
Christ be with me, Christ before me,Christ behind me, Christ within me,Christ on my right, Christ on my left,Christ when I lie, Christ when I sit,Christ in the hearts, Christ in the mouthsof all who think of me, of all who speak of me,Christ in every eye that sees me,Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today in the righteousness of Godby invocation of His name, by calling on the Trinity,by faith in the Threeness, confessing the Onenessof the Creator of all created things.
Copyright © 2017 Kathryn Ann Hill
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