Lenten Reflection Day 19

Today, we celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick, missionary, teacher, Bishop of Ireland. He was filled with zeal for the Lord at a young age. He often spent hours upon hours in prayer while going about his daily duties. Born in Britannia, he was captured by Irish pirates and made to tend sheep as a slave in Ireland. He escaped some six years later and returned home. it was back home that he heard the calling of the Lord and dedicated himself to missionary work as a priest. he felt called to return to Ireland to convert the Druid people to Christianity. Legend tells us it is here in Ireland that the simple three-leaf clover became a powerful instrument of Divine inspiration, as Patrick, now Bishop, used the clover to illustrate the theological teaching of one God in three persons. The stem of the clover, giving way to three separate and distinct leaves. Patrick’s autobiography, Confessio, told of his trials, miracles, and triumphs while living amongst the Irish. He also penned several prayers that he would recite and that he shared with the early Christians to inspire hope and to praise God. May St. Patrick bless us this day and inspire us with the zeal to love, honor, and serve our Lord every day of our lives.
REFLECTION: St. Patrick’s Prayer
May the strength of God pilot us. May the power of God preserve us. May the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us. May the way of God direct us. May the shield of God defend us. May the Host of God guard us against the snares of the evil ones, against temptations of the world. May Christ be with us! May Christ be before us! May Christ be in us, Christ be over all! May Thy salvation, Lord, always be ours, this day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.