THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK

As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere." From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf." Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK

A legionary wearing
the Lorica Segmentata

Today we celebrate a home-grown British missionary saint, a cause of great joy. As a young man Patrick was sent away to study in Paris, and received a very powerful vocation from Almighty God to be a messenger of Christ to the people of Ireland. He spent his life in the service of God and of the Irish people and built a community of Faith which was once called the land of saints and scholars.

In his mystical writings we count the Breastplate, or "Lorica", which is also the word used for the incantations used by Roman soldiers going into battle, as we should use this prayer going into our spiritual warfare of Obsequium Pauperum et Tuitio Fidei. This famous prayer is a gift to the whole Church.

Fr Z has a lovely post HERE, giving the text in both Latin and English, and a 'podcast' which you may listen to HERE. We are very grateful to him.

St Patrick, pray for us.

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN