The Lorica, or, St. Patrick's Breastplate
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 today
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.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I bind this day 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 spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension
Through the strength of His descent for the judgement of Doom.
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 arise today
Through the strength of the love of the Cherubim,
Through the strength of the obedience of angels,
Through the strength of the service of archangels,
Through the strength of the knowledge of the resurrection,
Through the strength of the prayers of patriarchs
Through the strength of the prediction of prophets,
Through the strength of the faith of confessors,
Through the strength of the deeds of righteous men
Through the strength of the innocence of holy virgins.
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 arise today
Through the strength of heaven,
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I bind unto myself today
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 hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to ward me,
God's host to save me.
From the snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these Holy Powers.
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul
Against incantations and spells,
Against black laws,
Against false laws,
Against idolatry,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul,
I arise today by 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.
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.
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.