Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Ash Wednesday

I haven't heard anything yet. I did actually sleep last night.  I always do, it is one of the graces God has sent my way. If I am having trouble falling asleep I grab my rosary and pretty soon I am resting in the arms of our Blessed Mother. I am feeling rather melancholy this morning. Watching baby Kelsey falter and waiting to hear what to do next about Tomas has left me rather drained, so I sat down with the computer and a blank posting page and I prayed. God undusted this for me from the very back of the attic of my brain. I used to love this prayer but it has been buried for so long I had to look it up to make sure I got it right:

The breast-plate of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

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 judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

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 host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

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.

Today is going to be a great day!

3 comments:

  1. I have been asked numerous times over the last 3 years,whether I am able to sleep during all these times of crisis and my answer has always,always been yes and sometimes I have questioned why that is.As a person who has struggled with anxiety during the uncertain moments,sleep has always come.I know in my heart God has graced me with that and for that I am thankful.Thankful that it comes to you as well.

    As we head to Ash Wednesday services,as a family,for the first time in 3 years,with Zoey for the first time in 3 years,I will pray for sweet Tomas and for your anxious heart.

    Love the header picture!

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  2. I love that prayer. We too will keep Tomas in our prayers at Ash Wednesday Mass. I will add his name to our special intentions which stands before our Blessed Mother.

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