# Christ Within Me – A Prayer Inspired by St. Patrick
*2015-04-19*

> Bill Young reflects on a special Mass at St. Patrick’s in Palm Beach Gardens and shares a beautiful prayer attributed to St. Patrick that invokes the Holy Trinity and the whole creation for protection and guidance.

## A Warm Welcome at St. Patrick’s

Yesterday, April 19, my wife and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. After a short trip, we attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Palm Beach Gardens. From the moment we entered, we felt an overwhelming sense of home and welcome, as if we had been part of that community all our lives. The parish’s mission statement explains why: “St. Patrick Catholic Church, committed to the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit, strives to be a welcoming presence to all, reaching out to the spiritual, emotional, educational, social, and material needs of God’s children, both in our parish and beyond.”

## The Prayer of St. Patrick

During the liturgy, I was given a prayer attributed to St. Patrick. I’d like to share it as it was read, with a few clarifications for the original wording.

“Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in the hands of all who love me, Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind upon myself the strong name of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are one in three and three in one. By the power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation, His baptism in the Jordan, His death on the cross for my salvation, His descent into the tomb, and His ascent to heaven, I bind myself to Him today and forever.

I bind upon myself the great love of the Holy Spirit, the sweet will of God at the hour of judgment, the service of the Church, the apostolic word, the patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ songs, all good deeds offered to the Lord, and the purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself the virtues of the star‑lit heavens, the glorious sun’s life‑giving rays, the whiteness of the moon, the flashing lightning, the whirling winds, the stable earth, the deep salty sea, and the eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself the power of God to hold and lead: His eyes to watch, His ears to hear my need, His wisdom to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to protect, His word to give me speech, and His heavenly host to be my guide against the devil’s snares, temptation, and all false teachings.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in the hands of all who love me, Christ in the mouth of friends and strangers. Amen.”

## Closing Blessing

May the Holy Trinity continue to guide us, protect us, and fill our lives with the love of Christ, now and always.

*When we bind ourselves to the whole of creation and the Trinity, we invite Christ’s presence into every moment of our lives.*