Saint Patrick's Prayer of Protection

(also known as The Deer's Cry, St Patrick's Breastplate, or St Patrick's Lorica)  

The world has probably never been in greater need of sanctuary than it is now. Climate change, pandemics, earthquakes and war rage across our planet. St Patrick, whose feast day occurs this Friday, speaks to us down 16 centuries in what may be the most powerful prayer for protection ever composed. It is set to music here by Shaun Davey and sung by Rita Connolly (from the album, "The Pilgrim. A Celtic suite for orchestra, soloists, Pipe band and choir.") 
​Click on the image above to listen and pray. 

The Story of "The Deer's Cry"

​This prayer is also known as The Deer's Cry. It was composed by Saint Patrick in the year 433 AD. As he was en route to the High King of Ireland at Tara, the king's druids lay in ambush to kill Patrick.  On the way, Patrick and his monks sang this great prayer.   As the druids lay in hiding, ready to kill, it is said that they saw not Patrick and his men, but a gentle doe followed by twenty fawns. The miracle saved Patrick and his men. 

Vox Hiberniae contemplate the history of the Irish Church through the lives of the Saints with Harp, Voice and Strings (For subtitles for Irish texts, click the Subtitles/[CC] box onscreen). 
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00:00 Skellig (Loreena McKennitt)
05:23 St. Patrick's Breastplate (John O'Keeffe)
07:37 Colmcille the Scribe (Seamus Heaney)
08:28 A Bhríd, a Mhuire na nGael/ Brigid, Mary of the Gael (Mary MacDonnell)
10:43 The Prayer of Brendan the Navigator
11:25 Iomann Bhréanainn Naofa/Hymn of St. Brendan (Traditional)
13:33 An Raibh tú ar an gCarraig?/Were you at the Rock? (Traditional)
16:14 Ó Raghallaigh's Grave (Traditional - arr. Ronan McDonagh)
19:55 A Rí na Glóire/King of Glory (Traditional)
23:18 Ps 91: I Will Proclaim Your Love in the Morning (Ronan McDonagh)​