St Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer Free Printable

The prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate is one of the most famous prayers of protection in Christian tradition. Sometimes called the Lorica of Saint Patrick, it has been prayed for centuries by believers seeking divine protection, courage, and trust in God.

This prayer is traditionally connected with Saint Patrick, the beloved Bishop of Ireland who preached the Gospel throughout Ireland in the fifth century. His feast day on Saint Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the story of the saint and to the powerful prayer that has been associated with him for generations.

To make it easier for families, homeschoolers, and teachers to share this tradition, you can download a St Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer free printable below.

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What Is the Lorica of Saint Patrick?

The St. Patrick’s Breastplate is sometimes called a breastplate prayer because it asks God to surround and protect the person praying it. The word lorica means armor. In this case it refers to spiritual armor, relying on God’s strength, God’s wisdom, and the protection of the Holy Spirit.

Another traditional name for the prayer is the Faeth Fiada, sometimes translated as “The Deer’s Cry.” According to tradition, Saint Patrick prayed this when he and his companions were in danger while traveling.

Today the prayer is still widely loved because it reminds believers to rely on the power of God, the word of God, and the presence of Christ in every moment of life.

Why Families and Teachers Love This Prayer

Parents and educators often look for meaningful prayers that children can learn and remember. The St Patrick’s Breastplate is especially memorable because of its vivid imagery and strong rhythm.

It reflects the beauty of creation, mentioning things like the light of the sun, the radiance of the moon, the speed of lightning, the swiftness of wind, the depth of sea, the stability of the earth, and the firmness of rock.

These images help children understand that God’s protection surrounds us everywhere. The prayer also reflects the unity of the Church across heaven and earth through references to the prayers of patriarchs, the predictions of prophets, the preaching of apostles, the service of archangels, the obedience of angels, the faith of confessors, the innocence of holy virgins, and the deeds of righteous men.

At the same time, the prayer asks God to guard us from spiritual dangers, including the snares of devils, the temptation of vices, the incantations of false prophets, the false laws of heretics, the black laws of pagandom, the black laws of heathenry, the craft of idolatry, and even the spells of witches. These phrases reflect the deep trust early Christians placed in God’s shield, God’s hand, and God’s host.

Using the Free Printable

A printable version of the prayer makes it simple to share this tradition with children. Many families like to print it for morning prayer during the week of Saint Patrick’s Day. Teachers often include it in lessons about Saint Patrick and the history of Christianity in Ireland.

Older students may enjoy copying parts of the prayer into a notebook, while younger children can decorate the printable with shamrocks or Celtic patterns.

Printable prayers also work well for classroom displays, prayer journals, or a family prayer corner.

The Full St Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer

Below is the traditional text of St. Patrick’s Breastplate.

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 and 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 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 sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot 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 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 near.

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 man 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 Eternal Father, Spirit, and Word.

A Prayer of Courage and Trust

For generations, the St. Patrick’s Breastplate has been prayed by Christians seeking courage and protection. It reminds us that we do not face life alone. Through Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and through the love of the Eternal Father, God surrounds us with His presence.

When families and classrooms pray these words together, they join a long tradition that reaches back to Saint Patrick himself.

Download the printable below and share this beautiful prayer with your children, students, or parish community.

Get your free printable here

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