I am taking a Celtic Christianity class this semester and I just love the liturgies in this tradition. The language is vivid and fresh. Two of the Celtic emphases that speak to me are nature and the Trinity, and these can be seen in St. Patrick’s Breastplate. I particularly like the imagery of Christ in us and all around us. May this be a reminder of God’s presence with you today.

Today I shield myself with threefold power,
Invocation of the Trinity.
Belief in the threeness, profession of the oneness.
In union with the Creator.

Today I shield myself with the power of Christ’s baptism,
his hanging and burial.
His rising again and his ascension,
his descent for the last judgment.

Today I shield myself with power of heaven, light of the sun.
Brilliance of the moon, splendor of fire.
Speed of lightning, swiftness of wind.
Depths of sea, firmness of earth, hardness of rock.

Today I shield myself with God’s power to direct me,
God’s strength to uphold me
God’s good sense to guide me
God’s ear to listen for me
God’s speaking to speak for me
God’s hand to guard me.
God’s path opening before me,
God’s shield to protect me.

Christ be with me
Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me,
Christ be inside me,
Christ be beneath me,
Christ be above me,
Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I rise up,
Christ all around me.
Christ in the heart of everyone who beholds me;
Christ in every eye that sees me;
and Christ in every ear that hears me.

Today I shield myself with threefold power,
invocation of the Trinity.
Belief in the threeness, profession of the oneness,
in union with the Creator.

The Lord is salvation;
Christ is salvation,
The Lord is salvation;
May your salvation, O Lord, be always with us.