PB&J

Last night, a group of us were sitting around the table at our Parish's Lenten Soup Supper trying to convince my 3 year old picky eater to try a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was reminded of an email that my dad sent me very recently that he titled, PB&J - the "P" is for St. Patrick, the "B" is for blessings and the "J" is for St. Joseph. My family is heavily Irish. While it's fun to celebrate being Irish, we can't forget about the Saint that inspires our March 17 celebrations. Additionally, St. Jospeh's feast day is on March 19. Let's not forget about the foster father of Jesus, who is the patron saint of fathers, workers and carpenters. Thus, we have a PB&J spiritual sandwich, with blessings in-between the powerful intercessions of St. Patrick and St. Jospeh. My Dad is my guest blogger this week. I couldn't imagine a better man to write about St. Patrick and St. Jospeh. My dad is Irish and he embraces the example of St.

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On March 17 and 19 we celebrate the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph.


Have you ever thought about any of the prayers that are attributed to or for them? I have two favorites that I'd like to share since from each prayer many blessings flow (thus, the "B" in PB&J)!


As you can tell, the first prayer, the Lorica of St. Patrick, is lengthy. And of course, in today's "McDonald's" world of needing everything made to order; condensed; compacted; or as brief as possible you may be discouraged. But take heart!


A "Lorica" is a protective sheath or covering. Take the time to prayerfully meditate on the words of this prayer and you'll see just how protected St. Patrick wanted to be (and us too!)


Every day you rise (by God's grace!) Every day you should be prepared for the daily battle for your soul. Despite what you may hear (and quite loudly I might add) you are in a daily battle for your soul! Now many things will seek to distract you. Or, an intellect may do its best to convince you that evil powers are merely made up of so much ancient nonsense. But look carefully around you, your city, your state, your country, your world. Tell me now that there is no evil, but, if you acknowledge that there is, perhaps it's not on your doorstep...so why worry? Do you think the evil you're seeing or witnessing happened as a mistake, an impulse or just a natural occurrence? No, it started in someone's heart. In the deep, quiet, holy recesses of their heart where an evil thought, desire or compunction came to life and overwhelmed them. And then, through an act of their will they committed an evil act. And that act or acts now reverberates throughout your city, state, country, world, or perhaps merely in your family.


St. Patrick first invokes the Holy Trinity; then Christ's life, death and resurrection; God's holy Angels; God's creation; God's omnipotence....to combat every known evil. Finally, he puts on Christ!


So, how will you arise today? And everyday?


Lorica of St. Patrick:
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 mulitude.



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

St. Patrick (ca. 377)

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The following prayer to St. Joseph is said to have been sent by the Pope in 1505 to Emperor Charles just before he went into battle. It is said that whoever invokes, reads, hears or keeps this prayer will not die of a sudden death, be drowned, be poisoned or fall into the hands of their enemies, be overpowered in battle or burned in any fire. While the history of this prayer may be lost, it is still a beautiful prayer.


St. Joseph's protection was indeed great by its promptness and strength. St. Joseph was a most loving father. First, he accepted his foster Son with all humility and commitment. He saved his life by adhering to the direction of the angel to flee to Egypt. He fretted and worried over having lost Jesus in the temple, the same temple where he heard Simeon's words about this child that was in his care. Nonetheless, he obviously persevered in being the most loving of fathers. Can you not see him holding the baby Jesus in his arms? Quieting his fears, his cries, his helplessness?


Prayer to St. Joseph
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God.

I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.


May you be clothed and sheathed with the Lorica of St. Patrick and assisted by the intercessions of St. Jospeh along your life's journey.