Prayers Written by or Attributed to Saints

St Patrick’s Breastplate

I rise up to-day.

God’s power guiding me,

God’s might upholding me,

God’s wisdom directing me,

The eye of God looking before me,

the ear of God listening for me,

The word of God speaking for me,

the hand of God defending me,

The way of God stretching out before me,

the shield of God protecting me,

the hosts of God guarding me.

From the snares of demons,

from the seduction of vice,

from the wicked desire of my nature,

From every man who plots against me,

near or afar, alone or with others.

Christ be with me, Christ be before me.

Christ be after me, Christ be within me,

Christ be beneath me, Christ be above me,

Christ be at my right hand,

Christ be at my left hand,

Christ be in the fort, Christ be in the chariot,

Christ be in the ship,

Christ be in the heart of every man who thinks of me.

Christ be in the mouth of every man who speaks to me,

Christ be in every eye that sees me,

Christ be in every ear that hears me.

ADORO TE DEVOTE

(St. Thomas Aquinas)

Hidden God, devoutly I adore Thee,

Truly present underneath these veils.

All my heart subdues itself before Thee,

Since it all before Thee faints and fails.

Not to sight or touch or taste be credit,

Hearing only do I trust secure,

I believe for God the Son has said it;

Word of truth that ever shall endure.

On the Cross was veiled thy Godhead’s splendour.

Here thy manhood lies hidden too.

Unto both alike my faith I render,

And as sued the contrite thief, I sue.

Though I look not on thy wounds with Thomas,

Thee, my Lord, and, Thee, my God, I call.

Make me more and more believe thy promise

Hope in Thee and love Thee over all.

O memorial of my Saviour dying.

Living bread that gives life to man.

May my soul its life from Thee supplying,

Taste thy sweetness as on earth it can.

Deign, O Jesus, pelican of heaven,

Me a sinner in thy Blood to lave,

To a single drop of which is given

All the world from all its sin to save.

Contemplating Lord, thy hidden presence,

Grant me what I thirst for and implore,

In the revelation of Thy essence,

To behold Thy glory evermore.

PRAYER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Watch, dear Lord,

with those who wake or watch or weep tonight,

and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend the sick, Lord, and rest the weary.

Soothe the suffering and pity the afflicted:

and all because you love us, Lord. Amen.

Look down, O Lord,

on this family, for which Our Blessed Lord

allowed himself to be betrayed and crucified. Amen.

Mary, Mother of God,

help to watch over me and mine tonight,

and help us all to do better tomorrow when, like today,

we hope to offer everything we do to God, our Father.

Amen.