Prayer to St. Patrick
(March 17)

O Blessed Apostle of Ireland! glorious St. Patrick, who didst become the father and benefactor of that land long before my birth, receive my prayers, and accept the sentiments of gratitude and veneration with which my heart is filled towards thee.

Thou wast the channel of my grateful thankgivings to God for having granted, through thee, that precious gift of faith which is dearer to us than life.

Oh most blessed father and patron of that country! Do not, I beseech thee, despise my weakness.
Remember that the cries of little children were the mysterious indication that thou didst receive to go thither.

Listen, then to my most humble supplications; I unite them to the praises and blessings which will ever follow thy name and thy blessings which will ever follow thy name and thy memory throughout the Irish Church; I unite them to the prayers of the multitude of our ancestors, who now enjoy eternal bliss, and owe their salvation under God, to thy zeal and charity.

They will eternally share thy glory, because they listened to thy word and followed thy example. Ah! since I am descended from saints, may I blush to differ from them, may I begin from this moment so to love God with all my heart and serve Him with all my strength. For this end, I most humbly beg thy blessing, O great St. Patrick! and thy particular intercession. For obtaining whatever grace thou seest to be most necessary for me.
Amen.