Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

16 Mar 2023

The popular prayer Saint Patrick’s Breastplate is contained in the ancient Book of Armagh, from the early ninth century, along with Patrick’s authentic Confession. Saint Patrick is said to have written this prayer to strengthen himself with God’s protection as he prepared to confront and convert Loegaire, High King of Ireland.

Watch a short Video of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate or Lúireach Phádraig as it is known in the Irish language. The music and the arrangement are by Sister Marie Dunne CHF, a Holy Faith Sister from Dublin. The soloist on this piece is Patricia Bourke D’Souza.

Video of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate or Lúireach Phádraig

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ within me,

Christ below me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right hand,

Christ on my left hand,

Christ in my sleeping,

Christ in my waking,

Christ in the heart of all who think of me,

Christ in the mouth of all who speak of me,

Christ in every eye that looks at me,

Christ in every ear that listens to me.

Lúireach Phádraig

Críost liom,

Críost romham,

Críost i mo dhiaidh,

Críost istigh ionam,

Críost fúm,

Críost os mo chionn,

Críost ar mo lámh dheas,

Críost ar mo lámh chlé,

Críost i mo lúi dom,

Críost i mo sheasamh dom,

Críost i gcrói gach duine atá ag cuimhneamh orm,

Críost i mbéal gach duine a labhráionn lom,

Críost i ngach súil a fhéachann orm,

Críost i ngach cluas a éisteann liom.

Back to News

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Archives