Our dear St. Patrick, on this glorious feast, gives us the perfect prayer to strengthen and direct our hearts. We pray in gratitude for all our ancestors on whose shoulders we stand.

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.

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 mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
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 in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation

There were people of all ages
Gathered round the gable wall
Poor and humble men and women
Little children that you would call
We are gathered here before you
And our hearts are just the same
Filled with joy at such a vision
As we praise your name

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
All my cares and troubles cease
As I kneel with love before you
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace

Oh, your message is unspoken
But the truth in silence lies
So I gaze upon your vision
And the truth I try to find
Here I stand, with John the teacher
And with Joseph at your side
And I see the lamb of God
On the altar glorified

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
All my cares and troubles cease
As we kneel with love before you
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace

And the lamb will conquer
And the woman clothed in the sun
Will shine her light on everyone
And the lamb will conquer
And the woman clothed in the sun
Will shine her light on everyone

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland
All our cares and troubles cease
As we kneel with love before you
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace