The patron saint of Ireland was born in Scotland in 387, but his family was living in Britain when he was kidnapped at sixteen years of age and sold to a family in Ireland.

He tended sheep for six years while learning the Irish language and about the Druid religion that pervaded Ireland. Finally, Patrick ran away and found his way home to Britain.

In the midst of his trials abroad, Patrick's faith in God grew. When he became a priest he was unable to forget the Irish people who had no understanding of the loving God. So he returned to Ireland to go head to head with the Druid priests.

His message was heard and embraced by several good men of influence and eventually, through God's grace, the country of Ireland was converted to the Christian faith.

The shamrock, a symbol of Ireland, was the teaching tool Patrick used to explain the belief in the Holy Trinity. As the plant has three leaves but one stem, so the Trinity is three Persons but one God.

The intention of this chaplet is that, through the prayers of St. Patrick, faith will grow stronger, first for the supplicant and then for others.

PRAYERS:

Introductory Prayer: The Apostles' Creed.

On each green bead pray one Glory Be.

Concluding Prayer on the medal or crucifix (which ever your chaplet has):

The Breastplate of St. Patrick.

This has quite a few variations, of which, this is one which was copied from www.prayerfoundation.org

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the 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,
Reliance of moon,
Splendour 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 wisdom 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.