Saint Patrick's Day

The Confession of Saint Patrick Translated from Latin by Ludwig Bieler

Further information:

The Life of Saint Patrick by Quentin Reynolds (Landmark book, out of print, but available on ebay occasionally)

St Patrick: the Irish Legend Available on DVD from Mentura, our DVD rental affiliate.

From Lorinda: I'm reading a book called "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill. He included this prayer, possibly written by St. Patrick:

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with 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 the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's widson 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 host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose 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 witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
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 when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Recipes

Thanks to Monica Hall for sharing her family's tradition:

We always enjoy this on St. Patrick's Day. They don't come much easier than this one! We love it with lamb chops or roast, brussel sprouts, soda bread with currants, and a layered orange, white, and green jello salad (in a glass dish, of course) My great-grammie used to make this meal every year. It wouldn't be March without it. We added the jello, and the traditional orange/lime sherbet sundaes for dessert.

Colcanon:

Wash and thinly slice 5 lbs. red potatoes thinly slice 1 small head green cabbage

Place the potatoes in a large stock pot and place cabbabe in a steamer basket over the potatoes. Boil for approximately 45 min., or until potatoes and cabbage are tender.

Place spuds and cabbage in a mixer bowl (might need to do a couple of smaller batches), and whip them together. Add milk, if desired, and salt and pepper to taste.

I never ever peel red potatoes, but you might want to?

Irish Soda Bread

Actually, Irish soda bread, and corned beef are Irish/American traditions. Most folks in the old country do not traditionally eat these foods on St. Patrick's Day. Apparently the tradition was started by Irish house servants in New York, Chicago, and Boston.

Irish Soda Bread 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 3 tbsp. butter or margarine 2 eggs 3/4 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup currants (we like best) or raisins

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Mix one of the egg and buttermilk together and stir into the flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in currants. Knead on a floured surface for 1 minute. Shape into a round loaf and place on a greased baking sheet. Cut a 1/4 in deep cross in the top of the loaf. Brush with the other beaten egg. Bake at 375 for 30-35 min or until golden brown.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC with orange marmalade, or butter and honey whipped together.

If no buttermilk on hand...Mix 3/4 cup regular milk (works better with 2% or more) with 1-2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice. Stir or shake to curdle the milk. Voilà! Instant buttermilk.

You could made a simple shepherd's pie...VERY Irish! My Irish pastor's wife makes it regularly. (BTW, this is a make it up as I go along recipe, so use common sense in following my directions: )

Make a half recipe of the Colcannon. Cube your steak and brown it in a large oven proof skillet with about 2 tbsp. shortening. Remove steak from pan, and make a simple flour gravy. For the culinary challenged: mix together 1/4 cup flour with 1 cup hot water. Shake or stir until smooth. Heat drippings in pan until hot, and gradually stir in flour mixture, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Gradually add a little milk or more water as gravy thickens. Bring to a boil, and boil for 2 min. Stir steak back in, and add any leftover veggies in your fridge. Spread Colcanon over the top of the skillet and bake at 375 for about 30 min, or until potatoes are starting to brown. If need be, powdered milk is acceptable in the potatoes and gravy.