Praying at Home on the Solemnity of St. Patrick
17th March 2020
The following resources are offered to you so that, even in the absence of public Mass, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day prayerfully, with your family, wherever you are. If possible, prepare a suitable prayer space with a crucifix, holy picture or even a simple candle. We hope that, if possible, you might also participate in one of the many Masses being celebrated all over Ireland on web-cam, or parish radio.
INTRODUCTION
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
“In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them.” Mt: 18:19-20
As you light the candle pray:
Lord Jesus you came as a light that shines in darkness and a light that darkness cannot overpower (Jn: 1:5) – enlighten our hearts and minds to your presence in our midst.
Act of Penance
For the times when we have failed to love God and to love each other we ask for God’s forgiveness.
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
We pray
That like St. Patrick the Missionary, may we be fearless witnesses to the Gospel
God Our Father, you sent the great Bishop Patrick to the people of Ireland
to share his faith and to spend his life in loving service
May our lives bear witness to the faith we profess
In the peace and joy of your Gospel
A Reading from the Confessions of St. Patrick
My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers. It was among foreigners that it was seen how little I was. It was there that the Lord opened up my awareness of my lack of faith. Even though it came about late, I recognised my failings. So I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God, and he looked down on my lowliness and had mercy on my youthful ignorance. He guarded me before I knew him, and before I came to wisdom and could distinguish between good and evil. He protected me and consoled me as a father does for his son.
That is why I cannot be silent – nor would it be good to do so – about such great blessings and such a gift that the Lord so kindly bestowed in the land of my captivity. This is how we can repay such blessings, when our lives change and we come to know God, to praise and bear witness to his great wonders before every nation under heaven.
(From The Confessions of St Patrick; Full text available on: https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english#)
Praying with St. Patrick
Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.
Listening to God’s Word (from St. Patrick’s Breastplate)
A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Luke (Luke 10:1-9)
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Intercessions
We bring our needs and prayers before our heavenly Father.
- We pray for our world at this time (Pause for silent prayer)
- Lord grant healing and comfort to those who are afflicted by the Coronavirus. We pray for our health professionals, our carers, and clergy who are working with those who are sick. (Pause) Lord protect them and strengthen them as they care in your name.
- We pray for our civil leaders (Pause) Lord inspire them to make wise decisions in these days.
- We pray for our Scientists (Pause) Lord enlighten them as they work to understand what is happening – guide their work as they strive to find ways to treat and protect us.
- We pray for those who are anxious in these days (Pause) Lord ease their fears and grant them the consolation of your presence.
- We pray for those who suffer in any way at this time – the poor, the hungry, the homeless – those who suffer from persecution, war, violence –those who are depressed, lonely or sad (Pause) Lord help them in their need.
- We pray for our families and friends (by name) – Lord protect them and look after them.
- We pray for a spirit of charity among our fellow country men and women(Pause) Lord, at this time of national crisis, help the people of Ireland to be generous and to look out for and care for each other.
- We pause to pray for our own private intentions. (Pause to mention intentions) Lord hear my prayer.
- We pray for our loved ones who have died (Pause) Lord enfold them ever more closely in your loving embrace.
Father, we ask you to hear these our prayers and if it be your will to answer them, for we make them in faith and love and trust thorough Christ our Lord, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As God’s family we pray as Jesus himself taught us:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Let us Pray
Lord, we are unable to come together as we normally would to celebrate this Feast of St. Patrick with our family members and friends. Help us through prayer and through the means of social communication to remain one body and to support one another in faith, hope and love. WE make this prayer through Christ Our Lord.
Blessing
May the Lord Bless us, May he keep us from all evil and lead us to everlasting life.
Dóchas Linn Naomh Pádraigh (Patrick be Our Hope). Amen
