March 17 offers more than pots of gold and leprechauns. Learn about St. Patrick’s Breastplate and its blessings.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me …

Those familiar words of blessing are part of a longer Gaelic prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.

Down through the centuries it has branched into many different forms. The original was based on a passage in Ephesians in which St. Paul talks about putting on the “armor of God” each day.

Historians aren’t certain that St. Patrick actually wrote these words. The verses may have been penned “in the tradition of Patrick” centuries after his death. Nonetheless, this is a fine prayer for St. Patrick’s Day and every day.

Here’s the story from Read The Spirit.

Read more.

Last Updated on March 15, 2016