“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
While reading Madeleine L’Engle’s A Swiftly Tilting Planet, I came across a rune—a poem—she had adapted from The Lorica of St. Patrick. I learned that “Lorica” is Latin for “breastplate,” symbolizing spiritual armor. My curiosity led me to read a brief biography of St. Patrick and then to the 19th-century translation of the Lorica by Cecil Frances Alexander.
St. Patrick (c. 385–461 AD) was a 5th-century Christian missionary and bishop, best known as the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders at age 16 and enslaved in Ireland. After six years, he escaped and returned home, but later felt called by God to return to Ireland as a missionary. He spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel, converting many to Christianity, and establishing churches and monasteries across the country. He is traditionally credited with using the shamrock to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. Though much of his story blends history and legend, his faith, courage, and legacy continue to be honored each year on March 17, the day of his death.
Since St. Patrick lived in the 5th century and the Lorica is believed to have been composed between the 8th and 11th centuries, it’s unlikely he wrote it himself. Still, the Lorica of St. Patrick stands as a beautiful and bold declaration of faith—a kind of spiritual creed.
Today, I invite you to rise and read it aloud. Let your spirit soak in the strength and beauty of its words—and be reminded that Christ is your identity.
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 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 the sun,
Radiance of the moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of 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 host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From every one 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 and 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 every one 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.
AMEN.