St. Patrick’s Breastplate

Armor for the Catholic Man

Men,

Every year on March 17th, the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. For many, it’s just an excuse to wear green, drink beer, and celebrate Irish heritage. But as Catholic men, we should look beyond the surface and reflect on the true legacy of St. Patrick—one of faith, courage, and mission.

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St. Patrick’s Breastplate: Armor for the Catholic Man

One of the most powerful prayers attributed to St. Patrick is The Lorica (or St. Patrick’s Breastplate). This prayer isn’t just words—it’s a battle cry for spiritual warriors. It calls upon Christ’s protection and strength in every moment of life:

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me…"

St. Patrick understood the spiritual battle we face daily. He knew the power of calling upon Christ for strength. As Catholic men, we need this same armor—praying with confidence, standing firm in our faith, and rejecting the temptations of the world.

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The Mission of St. Patrick

St. Patrick was kidnapped as a young man, enslaved, and later escaped—only to return to Ireland as a missionary. He didn’t seek comfort. He embraced the call to evangelize and convert a pagan land. His courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faith in Christ should inspire us.

Today, we live in a world that needs strong Catholic men more than ever. We may not be called to convert an entire nation, but we are called to lead our families, stand for truth, and live the Gospel boldly.

This St. Patrick’s Day, let’s do more than wear green—let’s pray St. Patrick’s Breastplate, recommit to our Catholic mission, and strive to be men after Christ’s heart.

St. Patrick, pray for us!

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet ‘well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Amen.

Written by John J. Sablan with a powerful foreword by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, this spiritual guide is crafted specifically for men who are ready to take their faith and leadership to the next level. Whether you’re a husband, father, professional, or brother in Christ, this book is designed to provide you with:

🔥 Practical Steps: Real-world tools for growing in virtue, prayer, courage, and intentionality.
🛡️ A Battle Plan: Insights from Catholic tradition and teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas to help you navigate the challenges of modern life.
💪 Inspiration to Lead: Stories, examples, and actionable strategies to help you lead in your family, workplace, and community.

This isn’t just another book—it’s a blueprint for becoming the man God created you to be. If you’ve ever longed for a deeper purpose or wondered how to integrate your faith into every corner of your life, this book is for you.

Find it on Amazon here

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Be the Creed
Nick | Catholic Manhood