Below you will find resources for St. Patrick’s Day – Prayers, Hymns and Videos.  If you wish to print out these resources, there is a PDF version available at the bottom of the page.  Sections can also be copied from this page to enable you to pick items you wish to use.

Prayers

Prayer To St. Patrick

O great Apostle of Ireland, glorious
St. Patrick, to whom under God, so
many are indebted for the most
precious of treasures, the great
gift of Faith, receive our fervent
thanks for the zeal and charity which
have been to thousands the source of
blessings so invaluable.  Ask for all
who dwell in this land and the land
of thy labours, the precious light of
Faith, and beg for us on whom its
glorious rays have long since
beamed, the grace to regulate our
lives by its sacred maxims
Amen

(Anonymous)

Prayer of St. Patrick (The Deer’s Cry)

I arise today through the strength of heaven
Light of sun, radiance of moon
Splendour of fire, speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea
Stability of earth, firmness of rock

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me
God’s eye to look before me
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s way to lie before me
God’s shield to protect me

From all who shall wish me ill
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul

Christ with me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ in me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me

I Arise today.

(Shaun Davey)

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

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.

(St. Patrick – last two verses of poem)

Hymn Lyrics

Hail Glorious St. Patrick

Hail, glorious Saint Patrick,
Dear saint of our isle,
On us thy poor children
Bestow a sweet smile;
And now thou are high
In thy mansions above,
On Erin’s green valleys
Look down in thy love.

Chorus
On Erin’s green valleys, on Erin’s green valleys,
On Erin’s green valleys look down in thy love.

Hail, glorious Saint Patrick!
Thy words were once strong
Against Satan’s wiles and
An infidel throng;
Not less is thy might
Where in heaven thou art;
O, come to our aid,
In our battle take part

Repeat Chorus

(Sr. Agnes)

Blessings

1
May your days be many and your troubles be few.
May all God’s blessings descend upon you.
May peace be within you, may your heart be strong.
May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.
May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us.
May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
Amen.

2
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

3
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

4
May you always have walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire.

5
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour
Before the devil knows you’re dead.

6
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow.
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Videos

Prayer of St. Patrick (Prayer) – Video, please click here

Lúireach Phádraig/St. Patrick’s Breastplate (Prayer) – Video, please click here

Hail Glorious St. Patrick (Hymn) – Video, please click here

An Irish Blessing by Phil Coulter and Roma Downey – Video, please click here.

There is a prayer service for St. Patrick available in the book Prayer for Parish Groups by Donal Harrington and Julie Kavanagh.  The service is on pages 202 – 203.

To view a PDF of these resources, please click here.