RC Kids have specific prayers that we say for different purposes. Grace before and after meals is a blessing for the meal you are about to have or just had. Most RC children know the Guardian Angel Prayer. There’s the Big ones: Our Father and Hail Mary. But there’s also the Peace Prayer of St Francis (Make me an instrument of your peace…) and the Prayer of St. Michael (Defend us in battle!). And there an inspiring morning prayer called St. Patrick’s Breastplate. The first part goes like this:

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.

The prayer goes on to say

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.

The sentiment here is lovely to me. It’s an inspiration to choose a divine path and do good works, no matter what situation I find myself in.

This Lent, may we all arise. Happy St. Patrick’s day, friends.

Extra Credit:

The whole prayer: Breastplate of St. Patrick

I’ve created landing pages for the last 2 years of Lent Project. You can access them from the Reflections Projects option in the menu bar. Happy reading, friends!