ST PATRICK, PATRON SAINT OF IRELAND AND SNAKEBITES – FEAST DAY: MARCH 17th
Blessed Saint Patrick,
glorious Apostle of Ireland,
who did become a friend and father to me
for ages before my birth,
hear my prayer and accept, for God,
the sentiments of gratitude and veneration
with which my heart is filled.
Through you I have inherited that faith
which is dearer than life
I now make you
the representative of my thanks,
and the mediator of
my homage to Almighty God.
Most holy Father and patron of my country,
despise not my weakness;
remember that the cries of little children
were the sounds that rose,
like a mysterious voice from heaven,
and invited you to come among us.
Listen, then, to my humble supplication;
may my prayer ascend
to the throne of God,
with the praises and blessings
which shall ever sanctify
your name and your memory.
May my hope be animated
by the patronage and intercession
of our forefathers,
who now enjoy eternal bliss
and owe their salvation,
under God, to your courage and charity.
Obtain for me the grace to love God
with my whole heart,
to serve him with my whole strength,
and to persevere in good purpose to the end,
O faithful shepherd of the Irish flock,
who would have laid down a thousand lives
to save one soul.
Take my soul,
and the souls of my countrymen,
under your special care.
Be a father to the Church of Ireland
and her faithful people.
Grant that all hearts may share the blessed
fruits of the Gospel
you did plant and water.
Grant that, as our ancestors
of old had learned,
under your guidance,
to unite science with virtue,
we too, may learn, under your patronage,
to consecrate all Christian
duty to the glory of God.
I commend to you my native land,
which was so dear to you while on earth.
Protect it still, and, above all,
direct its chief pastors,
particularly those who teach us.
Give them grace to walk in your footsteps,
to nurture the flock with the word of life
and the bread of salvation,
and to lead the heirs
of the Saints you have formed
to the possession of that glory which they,
with you, enjoy in
the kingdom of the Blessed:
through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St Patrick.
R. And obtain for us the intention of this Novena.
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