Chaplet of Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick, Woodcut from the Liber Chronicarum (Book of Chronicles) or Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493
The Chaplet of Saint Patrick is traditionally said for the intention of strengthening one's faith, and that Almighty God will grant the grace of faith for others. It's primary prayer is the Glory Be, to the Most Holy Trinity, remembering that Saint Patrick (c. 389-461) was a great advocate and defender of the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock, a clover plant with a yellow flower and leaflets made up of a stem with three small green leaves that is very common in Ireland, to preach the Holy Trinity to the Irish. St. Patrick used the shamrock to visualise the mystery of the Trinity, explaining how
a single plant with three leaves is analogous to the one Triune God
with three separate and distinct Persons. The shamrock is a symbol for both the Holy Trinity and St. Patrick.
Shamrock (Three Leaf Clover)
St. Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, who brought Christianity to Ireland. His feast day is on 17 March. Many, many prayers are needed for the faith in Ireland now.
The Chaplet is said on beads with a crucifix or a medal of St. Patrick (often both) and twelve beads. It can be said on rosary beads using twelve of the beads, or without beads.
Chaplet of Saint Patrick Beads
The Chaplet of Saint Patrick
Intention Prayer
Through
the intercession of Saint Patrick, may God Almighty strengthen my faith, and
grant the grace of faith for others.
(Sometimes the intention prayer is not said at the beginning but after the twelve Glory Be)
Apostles' Creed (said on the Crucifix, or St. Patrick's Medal if there is no Crucifix)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and
in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into Hell; on the third
day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated
at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come
to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the
holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Glory Be (said on each of the twelve Beads)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Breastplate of Saint Patrick (said on the St. Patrick's Medal, or Crucifix if there is no St. Patrick's Medal)
Christ as a light,
Illumine and guide me!
Christ as a shield, overshadow and cover me!
Christ be under me! Christ be over me!
Christ be beside me, On the left hand and right!
Christ be before me, behind me, about me;
Christ the day be within and without me!
(This is a short version of the Breastplate of Saint Patrick prayed in the chaplet. The full version of the Breastplate of Saint Patrick, or the Lorica of Saint Patrick, is on this webpage).
Stained Glass Window of Saint Patrick with Church and Stained Glass Window of Saint Patrick with Shamrock
A Miracle on Saint Patrick's Day:
The Irish Madonna of Gyor
On Saint Patrick's Feast Day, 17 March 1697, during a Mass at the Cathedral of Gyor in Hungary, a painting of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted shed tears and blood, which ran down the canvas to the image of the sleeping Jesus. This image is known by a number of titles: 'The Irish Madonna', 'The Irish Madonna of Gyor', 'Our Lady of Ireland', 'Our Lady Queen of Ireland', 'The Weeping Madonna' and 'Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted'.
The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Ireland (The Irish Madonna of Gyor), Painting, c. 1650 or earlier
The Image
The painting of the Irish Madonna is a unique image. It depicts Our Lady in Irish dress, wearing a ‘galway shawl’ with green stitching. The Child Jesus is asleep under the care of his mother and has pale skin and red curls. Our Lady is in prayerful adoration, looking lovingly at Christ her son. Our Lady as Queen, including of of Ireland, is crowned and so is her Son Christ the King. Our Lady's left ear is seen, as is the right ear of the Child Jesus, conveying that they know our suffering and are listening to our prayer.
History
During the English Civil War (1642-1651) the army of Oliver Cromwell invaded Ireland in 1649 and undertook a brutal persecution of the Catholic faith. On 8 December 1650 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) the Bishops of Ireland gathered together at Loughrea before a painting of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted. They solemnly proclaimed Our Lady to be the Queen and Patroness of Ireland, and that henceforth the Feast of the Immaculate Conception would be observed in Ireland on this day. In June 1651 Cromwell's troops reached Clonfert, and the local Bishop, Walter Lynch, escaped from Ireland and he took the painting with him for safekeeping.
In 1654 Bishop Lynch ended up in Gyor in Hungary, and was taken in by the local Bishop, Janus Pusky. Bishop Lynch was appointed a Canon and later an auxiliary Bishop in the Gyor diocese. Although Bishop Lynch planned to return to Ireland, in July 1663 he passed away in Hungary and one of his last acts was to gift his only valuable possession, the painting of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, to the Bishop of Gyor. The painting was hung in the Cathedral of Gyor near the altar of St Anne.
Almost half a century later, on 16 March 1697, the Protestant imposed Parliament in Dublin began discussing the notorious Act of Banishment, which was later passed, being an act to banish all Catholic clergy from Ireland. This act was one of a number of penal laws used to persecute Catholics in Ireland, and which was not repealed until 1878.
On Saint Patrick's Feast Day, 17 March 1697, during a Mass at the Cathedral of Gyor attended by numerous people, from 6am to 9am the eyes of the Madonna in the painting began to shed tears and blood, which ran down the canvas to the image of the sleeping Jesus. The people, who had been attending the Holy Mass, as well as those who were summoned to witness the miracle, took turns in gathering around the portrait while the priests repeatedly wiped the face of the Madonna with a linen cloth that is still preserved in the Cathedral.
Original framed painting of The Irish Madonna of Gyor, Cathedral of Gyor, Hungary
The portrait was taken down from the wall and removed from its frame. No explanation could be given for the phenomenon, which continued for more than three hours, other than that Our Lady's portrait shed miraculous tears for her suffering children in Ireland. Thousands witnessed the miracle, not just Catholics but also Protestants and Jews. A document bearing testimony to what occurred was signed by a hundred people including the signatures of the governor of the city, its mayor, all its councilmen, the bishop, priests, Calvinist and Lutheran ministers and a Jewish rabbi. These all volunteered their signatures to the document confirming that they had witnessed an undeniable miracle.
The painting of the Irish Madonna, Chapel of St. Anne, Cathedral of Gyor, Hungary
Prayers
The author of this website has been unable to find a specific prayer to The Irish Madonna of Gyor, however there are prayers to Our Lady Comforter (or Consoler) of the Afflicted and appropriate to Our Blessed Mother under the titles associated with the miraculous painting in Gyor.
Holy Mary, consoler of all who fly to thee, pray for us.
Sancta Maria consolatrix ad te confugientium, ora pro nobis.
Holy Mary, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Sancta Maria consolatrix afflictorum, ora pro nobis.
Holy Mary, our Mother and Lady, pray for us.
Sancta Maria nostra Mater et Domina, ora pro nobis.
Holy Mary, most clement Lady, pray for us.
Sancta Maria clementissima Domina, ora pro nobis.
Holy Mary, rose that cannot wilt, pray for us.
Sancta Maria immarcescibilis rosa, ora pro nobis.
O Most Holy Virgin, Consoler of the Afflicted
O most Holy Virgin, who art fitly called the Consoler of the Afflicted, obtain for me of Jesus Christ thy Son, the grace never to lose heart in the day of trouble, and to seek no comfort but in Jesus and thyself. Grant that I may ever have confidence in thy maternal heart pierced with the sword of sorrow, and that I may find therein my true and only consolation. Amen.
Consolatrix Afflictorum (Comforter of the Afflicted), Ezio Anichini, Designs for Embroidery, Litany of Loretto Series, 1915-1920
O Immaculate Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted
O Immaculate Mary, dear Mother, Consoler of the Afflicted, I take refuge in your most lovable Heart with all the trust of which I am capable. You shall be the dearest object of my love and my veneration.
From you, the dispenser of heavenly treasures, I shall always seek peace in my troubles, light in my doubts, defence in my dangers, help in my needs.
Be therefore, my refuge, my strength, my consolation. O Mary Consoler of the Afflicted hear my prayer and answer it. O Holy Mother, Consoler of the Afflicted, pray for us who experience hardship and danger; console us with your presence now and every day. Amen.
(Alternative Version)
O Immaculate Mary, dear Mother, Consoler, I take refuge in thy most lovable heart with all the trust of which I am capable. Thou shall be the dearest object of my love and my veneration.
From thee, the dispenser of heavenly treasures, I shall always seek peace in my troubles, light in all my doubts, defence in my dangers, help in all my needs.
Be therefore my refuge, my strength, my consolation. O Mary Consoler. At the hour of my death, graciously receive the last beats of my heart, and obtain for me a place in that heavenly country, where as one, all hearts shall praise forever the adorable Heart of Jesus, with the most lovable Heart of Mary, His Mother.
O Mary, my Mother, Consoler of the Afflicted, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
St Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) prayer:
Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.
The Madonna on a Crescent Moon in Hortus Conclusus, Unknown German Master, c. 1450s
Gaelic Litany to Our Lady
Dating from the middle of the Eighth Century. Translated by Eugene O'Curry and appears in The World's Great Catholic Poetry by Thomas Walsh (MacMillan Co, 1942), from Fr Albert J. Herbert SM, A Prayerbook of Favorite Litanies (TAN Books, 1985).
O Great Mary, pray for us.
O Mary, greatest of Maries, pray for us.
O Greatest of women, pray for us.
O Queen of angels, pray for us.
O Mistress of the heavens, pray for us.
O Woman full and replete with the grace of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
O Blessed and most blessed, pray for us.
O Mother of Eternal Glory, pray for us.
O Mother of the heavenly and earthly Church, pray for us.
O Mother of Love and Indulgence, pray for us.
O Mother of the Golden Heights, pray for us.
O Honour of the sky, pray for us.
O Sign of tranquillity, pray for us.
O Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
O Golden Vessel, pray for us.
O Couch of Love and Mercy, pray for us.
O Temple of Divinity, pray for us.
O Beauty of virgins, pray for us.
O Mistress of the tribes, pray for us.
O Fountain of gardens, pray for us.
O Cleansing of sins, pray for us.
O Purifying of souls, pray for us.
O Mother of orphans, pray for us.
O Breast of infants, pray for us.
O Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
O Star of the sea, pray for us.
O Handmaid of the Lord, pray for us.
O Mother of Christ, pray for us.
O Resort of the Lord, pray for us.
O Graceful like the dove, pray for us.
O Serene like the moon, pray for us.
O Resplendent like the sun, pray for us.
O Cancelling Eve’s disgrace, pray for us.
O Regeneration of life, pray for us.
O Beauty of women, pray for us.
O Leader of virgins, pray for us.
O Garden Enclosed, pray for us.
O Fountain sealed up, pray for us.
O Mother of God, pray for us.
O Perpetual Virgin, pray for us.
O Holy Virgin, pray for us.
O Prudent Virgin, pray for us.
O Serene Virgin, pray for us.
O Chaste Virgin, pray for us.
O Temple of the Living God, pray for us.
O Royal Throne of the Eternal King, pray for us.
O Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
O Virgin of the Root of Jesse, pray for us.
O Cedar of Mount Lebanon, pray for us.
O Cypress of Mount Sion, pray for us.
O Crimson Rose of the Land of Jacob, pray for us.
O Blooming like the palm tree, pray for us.
O Fruitful like the olive tree, pray for us.
O Glorious Son-bearer, pray for us.
O Light of Nazareth, pray for us.
O Glory of Jerusalem, pray for us.
O Beauty of the world, pray for us.
O Noblest-Born of the Christian flock, pray for us.
O Queen of Life, pray for us.
O Ladder of Heaven, pray for us.
High Celtic Cross and Round Tower at Monasterboice, County Loath, Ireland
An Anonymous Irish Lorica, for Protection Against Danger
Dia lim fri cach snim, before 1200. From Paul C. Stratman, Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church (Crossway, 2018)
God be with me against every sorrow, even the One noble Three,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
The Trinity be my protection against swarms of plagues,
against sudden death, against terror, against treacheries of marauders!
May high Jesus keep me against the Red Plague!
Against demons at all times, the Son of God is my shield,
against disease, against hurts, against thunder, against fire, …
against weapons, against terror, against venom of darts,
against danger, against treachery, against hidden poisons,
against every form of sickness poured on the world.
Every blessing without pain, every pure prayer,
every ladder that reaches heaven shall be an aid to me,
every good saint who suffers on the surface of the earth,
every chaste disciple who is tortured for Christ,
every meek, every gentle, every candid, every pure person,
every confessor, every soldier, who happens to live under the sun, …
every one, gentle or simple, every saint who has suffered the Cross, …
every righteous modest son under the roof of the glassy heaven,
from the sunset in the west to Mount Zion eastward,
may they protect me henceforth against the demons of the mist,
they, the comrades of the King’s Son in the lands of the living. …
May I be under the hand of God against every danger!
The Cross of the Scriptures (or King Flann's Cross) c. 957 and Ruins of Clonmacnoise Cathedral, Clonmacnoise, Offaly, Ireland
This Webpage first posted on
The Feast Day of Saint Patrick, 17 March 2022.
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.
