In the tradition of the Church, few prayers carry the raw, rhythmic power of the Lorica of St. Patrick. Also known as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” this ancient hymn is more than just a devotion—it is a spiritual shield. Whether you are facing a season of spiritual warfare, physical danger, or simply seeking to strengthen your prayer life, the Lorica is a powerful invocation of God’s omnipotence.
What is a “Lorica”?
The word lorica comes from the Latin for breastplate or body armor. In the early Irish Church, a lorica was a specific genre of prayer recited for protection. Just as a soldier would don a physical breastplate before heading into battle, the faithful would pray a lorica to clothe their souls in the protection of the Trinity.
The Legend of “The Deer’s Cry”
According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote this prayer in the 5th century. Legend tells us that Patrick and his followers were traveling to the Hill of Slane to celebrate Easter when an ambush was set for them. As they processed, they chanted this prayer. To those waiting in the shadows to harm them, Patrick and his monks appeared not as men, but as a herd of wild deer. Because of this miraculous protection, the prayer is also known as the Faeth Fiada, or “The Deer’s Cry.”
The Lorica of St. Patrick (Full Text)
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a 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 and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and 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 the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold 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 way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation
Breakdown of the Prayer
To pray the Lorica is to participate in a comprehensive binding of the soul to God. The structure of the prayer follows a specific movement of the spirit:
1. Invoking the Trinity
The prayer begins by “binding to myself” the strength of the Trinity. This is a foundational Catholic act—recognizing that our protection does not come from our own merits, but from God Himself, in the “Threeness and Oneness” of the Creator.
2. The Sacred History of Christ
The second movement invokes the Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. By praying these lines, we are shielded by the actual events of Salvation History which are powerful mysteries in the spiritual life.
3. The Communion of Saints and Creation
St. Patrick famously saw God’s handiwork in the natural world. In this section, the “stability of the earth” and the “depth of the sea” are called upon as witnesses to God’s power. It reminds us that all of creation is under the sovereignty of the Lord and points to His wisdom and power.
4. The Christ-Centric Shield
The most famous portion of the prayer—the “Christ with me” section—serves as a 360-degree spiritual perimeter. It asks for Christ to be present in our internal thoughts, our external actions, and in the perceptions of everyone we encounter.
When to Pray St. Patrick’s Breastplate
While many Catholics pray the Lorica on the Feast of St. Patrick (March 17th), it is a “working prayer” intended for daily use. We recommend reciting it:
- During Morning Prayer: To set a “shield” over your day before you leave the house.
- In Moments of Fear: To remind yourself that Christ is beneath, above, and beside you.
- Before Difficult Conversations: To ensure Christ is “in the mouth of every man who speaks of me.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lorica an official Catholic prayer?
Yes. It is a deeply rooted part of the Irish Catholic tradition and is recognized as an ancient expression of Trinitarian faith and spiritual warfare.
Why does the prayer mention “spells of smiths and wizards”?
In the 5th century, Patrick was often in direct spiritual confrontation with druidic practices. Today, we understand these lines as a petition for protection against any modern influence—secular or spiritual—that seeks to corrupt the soul.
How long does it take to pray the full Breastplate?
The full text takes roughly 3 to 4 minutes to pray slowly and meditatively.
Explore More Prayers of Protection
If you found the Lorica helpful, explore our curated collection of Catholic Prayers of Protection to find strength in the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel and the Precious Blood of Jesus.
