# St. Patrick’s Chaplet for the Family
*2022-03-17*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke introduce a new St. Patrick’s Chaplet for families, explaining its origins, sharing a personal story, and guiding listeners through the prayers and mysteries.

## Why a St. Patrick’s Chaplet?

Bill opens by wishing John a happy St. Patrick’s Day and explains that, while searching for a St. Patrick’s rosary, they found none. With the help of the Irish Centre, they combined existing prayers and added a few of their own to create a family chaplet. Bill reflects on St. Patrick’s extraordinary mission—converting an entire nation—and notes how Irish clergy have shaped the Church in America.

## A Personal Encounter with St. Patrick’s Church

Bill recounts a recent anniversary trip to St. Petersburg, Florida. While looking for a church, they were directed to St. Patrick’s Church, where both he and his wife felt a profound joy during Mass. He sees this as a personal gift from St. Patrick and a reason to honor the saint with a dedicated chaplet for families.

## Structure of the Chaplet

The chaplet follows the traditional rosary format: an opening prayer (the St. Patrick Prayer), the Our Father, a Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed. Each decade begins with a special “St. Patrick” prayer invoking the saint’s intercession for missionaries, followed by ten Hail Marys that repeat a petition to St. Patrick, acknowledging his humility and missionary success. Each decade ends with a “Glory Be” adapted to thank St. Patrick for his merits and intercession.

## The Mysteries

The chaplet uses the Glorious Mysteries, each paired with the St. Patrick opening prayer. Bill briefly mentions the first mystery (the Resurrection), the second (the Ascension), the third (the Descent of the Holy Spirit), the fourth (the Assumption of Mary), and the fifth (the Coronation of Mary), noting the fruit of each mystery (hope, love, devotion, etc.) while repeating the same St. Patrick petitions.

## Closing Prayer and Blessing

The chaplet concludes with a longer prayer invoking God’s strength, wisdom, protection, and the presence of Christ in all aspects of life. Bill ends with a traditional sign of the cross, thanks the listeners, and asks for God’s blessing on St. Patrick, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Holy Trinity.

*May the St. Patrick’s Chaplet strengthen families in faith, drawing on the saint’s missionary spirit to protect and guide us.*