I have discovered that as director of spiritual formation, you are often asked questions that no one dares ask anyone else. Some of those questions are more appropriate than others. I have been asked about columbaria, Christmas decorations, apocalyptic television series, the Episcopal Church, and Tim LaHaye. There may be a common denominator there. I can’t be sure — and I’m not sure I want to know.
Others questions I’ve been asked are topically relevant, but sweeping in character, like the question, “What is Celtic spirituality all about?” My answer has been, “Christian, only dark and broody, with a dash of animism.” But in the spirit of Lenten discipline, I suppose that I should confess that answer was calculated to bedevil an old Irish colleague and friend.
Truth be told, Saint Patrick actually represents a far more robust view of Christian spirituality than my playful definition suggests. Though we don’t know a great deal about the bishop, what we do know is that he was captured as a child by Irish marauders who sold him into slavery and for six years he managed the flocks of a cruel master. When he finally escaped to Britain, he placed himself under the tutelage of St. Germain. He was eventually ordained to the priesthood and — at his own urging — was sent back to Ireland.
Tradition has it that his first act was to pay his own ransom to his former master and give him God’s blessing. One of the few surviving texts attributed to Patrick is a prayer that today is called St. Patrick’s Breastplate. A portion of that much lengthier prayer reads:
I bind to myself today
God’s Power to guide me,
God’s Might to uphold me,
God’s Wisdom to teach me,
God’s Eye to watch over me,
God’s Ear to hear me,
God’s Word to give me speech,
God’s Hand to guide me,
God’s Way to lie before me,
God’s Shield to shelter me,
God’s Host to secure me,
Happy St. Patrick’s day…
Nice thought to head out to work with today. Happy St. Patrick’s day to you, from Patricia…..
May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face and rain fall softly upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
From the Celtic Spirituality class I took at CDSP back in 1997, I learned that a lorica (or breastplate) was used as an invocation to the Triune God for protection. In these troubling and stressful times, a lorica is a good thing to have!
Another way to invoke protection is to recite/pray: “Oh, God, make speed to save us. Oh, God, make haste to help us”. This is to be done facing north, west, south, and east (the exact order does not matter, I think?).
From David Adams’ “The Open Gate”, page 112, is this blessing:
God of the heights protect and uplift you.
Christ of the depths uphold and sustain you.
Spirit of the slopes guide you and grasp you.
Amen!