Patrick power - a river of green LOVE!

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today
God’s Power to guide me,
God’s Might to uphold me,
God’s Wisdom to teach me,
God’s Eye to watch over me,
God’s Ear to hear me,
God’s Word to give me speech,
God’s Hand to guide me,
God’s Way to lie before me,
God’s Shield to shelter me,
God’s Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Two of my Patricks that celebrate their patron Saint Patrick on this his feast day!  Simon Patrick was the first grandson and given the name of his grandfather. 

Just to show a the big picture of how BIG Patrick is for our family - pictured here are 4 Patricks in our family - John Patrick, the famous Patrick Joseph on great grandma's lap, Simon Patrick behind her, and of course, Patrick Gerard Joseph, who started the whole thing. 

Patrick with his youngest namesake ... grandson,  Dominic Patrick!  That adds up to 5 special young and old and in between men and boys, who are celebrating this day with the wonderful patron of St Patrick!  How he has become so important to me after spending a month on my knees in St Patrick's Cathedral in El Paso while grandson, Patrick came back from death!

He held my hand and led me in Faith down the path to the recovery and healing of his tiny namesake, Patrick Joseph!

Visiting St Patrick and praying for their brother - the prayers of children!

St Patrick's Day is special to my two daughters, Nancy and Susan/Hallel, as it was the birthday of my sister, Mary, who is their Godmother!   I really wanted to call Hallel this morning and ask if she had some hidden green on for her Godmother and some other news requiring her prayers, but I refrained as it is Lent and we are limited in our time to talk to her.

My sister, Mary, made St Patrick's so special to me as it was her birthday!  She died at age 28 from cancer, but not before she had her wonderful Audrey, married her dairy farmer Gerry, and became Godmother to Nancy and Susan/Hallel.  How she loved to dress all in green and celebrate to the max!

So in celebration of all our Patrick power... it was great to go to the Catholic School for mass today - the first graders did mass including our David. 

1st grader, David, in green for St Patrick's day mass this morning!  So wonderful to share the most wonderful meal in the world with my daughter, and grandkids!

Happy Feast day Simon Patrick!  You light up my world!  So many St Patricks that it is like a river of green LOVE that fills our family with the wonder of the Saint that faced imprisonment, slavery and brought the LIGHT of Christ to Ireland!  He also chased all the snakes out, and that really impresses the grandsons!

Lots of green made for a picture of honoring St Patrick on his feast.  "Where are my green waffles?" said Patrick. 

The leaves bursting forth on the Easter Tree... putting pictures on it to show all the changes this new year/lent!  A lot of newness filling our family and farm!

Pictures of Nancy and family in KC, Maria and her family in Missouri, and Ruth and Paul and kids moving to the farm!  Lots of big changes and St Patrick continues to be important to us!

 

St Patrick starting with my sister, Mary, born on this day 57 years ago, yet gone to heaven 29 years ago... Now my life is filled with the power of Patrick!  May his intercession continue to lead us down the narrow path.  Jesus with your St Patrick at your feet this day... we love you and take your Truth into our hearts, minds and souls.  Jesus, we trust in you. 

St Patrick, I never could have known how much you would touch my life!  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

 

 

Patrick and the green waffles in Missouri!

Romeo likes them a lot too!

 

Mary and I

At her grave the winter after she died - Goddaughters, too.

Nancy and Gus 4 years back... Still celebrating for her Godmother!

Therese a fun one a day before her birthday a few years back... she will be 8 tomorrow!