About Today
Tuesday 17 March 2026
Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent
(optional commemoration of Saint Patrick, Bishop, Missionary)
Christ the Lord was tempted and suffered for us. Come, let us adore him.
Or: O that today you would listen to his voice: harden not your hearts.
Year: A(II). Psalm week: 4. Liturgical Colour: Violet.
St Patrick (385 - c.493)
He was born in Roman Britain around the end of the 4th century, and died in Ireland in the late 5th century. As a missionary bishop, he endured many hardships and faced opposition even from his friends and fellow Christians. Nevertheless, he worked hard to conciliate, to evangelize, and to educate local chieftains and their families. He is remembered for his simplicity and pastoral care, for his humble trust in God, and for his fearless preaching of the gospel to the very people who had enslaved him in his youth. See the articles in Wikipedia and the Catholic Encyclopaedia.
St Patrick's Breastplate
I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heav’nly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heav’nly host to be my guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till thy returning.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord
Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop, Missionary
Today's gospel reading
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house!” And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.’
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Reflection on the Book
Wishing all our readers a very happy Feast of Saint Patrick! Today we celebrate the great missionary who brought the Christian faith to Ireland and whose story continues to inspire believers around the world. And yes, as someone called Patrick myself, I must admit this is one feast day I feel slightly more entitled to celebrate than most! I hope you enjoy the day, perhaps with a touch of Irish cheer or wearing green socks (as I will!), while remembering the courage and faith of a wonderful saint.
One of the most spectacular works of art connected with Saint Patrick is the Book of Armagh, created around 807 AD and now preserved in Trinity College Dublin. This remarkable manuscript is one of the earliest surviving Irish codices. A codex is simply the early form of the book as we know it today, which gradually replaced the scroll in the 8th/9th/10th centuries. The book of Armagh closely associated with the cult of Saint Patrick. It contains the earliest surviving copies of Patrick’s own writings (Confessio and Letter to Coroticus), alongside the New Testament and early lives of the saint.
The manuscript was produced by the scribe Ferdomnach, who worked for the abbot of Armagh and deliberately compiled texts that would reinforce Armagh’s claim as the chief church founded by Patrick. One of the most striking pages in the Book of Armagh I find is this illustration of the four Evangelists symbolised as living creatures. This imagery comes from the visions of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation, where four mysterious beings surround the throne of God. In Christian tradition they came to represent the Gospel writers: the man or angel for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, and the eagle for John. These symbols express the unique character of each Gospel while also proclaiming that together they bear witness to the same Christ. In the Book of Armagh the creatures are rendered in the distinctive style of early Irish manuscript art.
What makes the Book of Armagh so extraordinary is that it sits at the meeting point of history, devotion, and art. It preserves Patrick’s own voice while presenting him visually in the language of early medieval sacred art. For the Irish church, this book is not just a manuscript; it is almost a relic, a physical tangible link to the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland.
The Book of Armagh or Codex Ardmachanus (Irish: Leabhar Ard Mhacha), also known as the Canon of Saint Patrick,
Illustration of Folio 32v with symbols of the Evangelists,
Written and illustrated in Latin and Old Irish,
9th century, 222 folios survived (folios 1 and 41-44 are missing)
© Library of Trinity College Dublin (MS 52)
Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent
(optional commemoration of Saint Patrick, Bishop, Missionary)
Christ the Lord was tempted and suffered for us. Come, let us adore him.
Or: O that today you would listen to his voice: harden not your hearts.
Year: A(II). Psalm week: 4. Liturgical Colour: Violet.
St Patrick (385 - c.493)
He was born in Roman Britain around the end of the 4th century, and died in Ireland in the late 5th century. As a missionary bishop, he endured many hardships and faced opposition even from his friends and fellow Christians. Nevertheless, he worked hard to conciliate, to evangelize, and to educate local chieftains and their families. He is remembered for his simplicity and pastoral care, for his humble trust in God, and for his fearless preaching of the gospel to the very people who had enslaved him in his youth. See the articles in Wikipedia and the Catholic Encyclopaedia.
St Patrick's Breastplate
I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heav’nly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heav’nly host to be my guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till thy returning.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord
| St Patrick, trans. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) |
Today's gospel reading
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house!” And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.’
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Reflection on the Book
Wishing all our readers a very happy Feast of Saint Patrick! Today we celebrate the great missionary who brought the Christian faith to Ireland and whose story continues to inspire believers around the world. And yes, as someone called Patrick myself, I must admit this is one feast day I feel slightly more entitled to celebrate than most! I hope you enjoy the day, perhaps with a touch of Irish cheer or wearing green socks (as I will!), while remembering the courage and faith of a wonderful saint.
One of the most spectacular works of art connected with Saint Patrick is the Book of Armagh, created around 807 AD and now preserved in Trinity College Dublin. This remarkable manuscript is one of the earliest surviving Irish codices. A codex is simply the early form of the book as we know it today, which gradually replaced the scroll in the 8th/9th/10th centuries. The book of Armagh closely associated with the cult of Saint Patrick. It contains the earliest surviving copies of Patrick’s own writings (Confessio and Letter to Coroticus), alongside the New Testament and early lives of the saint.
The manuscript was produced by the scribe Ferdomnach, who worked for the abbot of Armagh and deliberately compiled texts that would reinforce Armagh’s claim as the chief church founded by Patrick. One of the most striking pages in the Book of Armagh I find is this illustration of the four Evangelists symbolised as living creatures. This imagery comes from the visions of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation, where four mysterious beings surround the throne of God. In Christian tradition they came to represent the Gospel writers: the man or angel for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, and the eagle for John. These symbols express the unique character of each Gospel while also proclaiming that together they bear witness to the same Christ. In the Book of Armagh the creatures are rendered in the distinctive style of early Irish manuscript art.
What makes the Book of Armagh so extraordinary is that it sits at the meeting point of history, devotion, and art. It preserves Patrick’s own voice while presenting him visually in the language of early medieval sacred art. For the Irish church, this book is not just a manuscript; it is almost a relic, a physical tangible link to the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland.
The Book of Armagh or Codex Ardmachanus (Irish: Leabhar Ard Mhacha), also known as the Canon of Saint Patrick,
Illustration of Folio 32v with symbols of the Evangelists,
Written and illustrated in Latin and Old Irish,
9th century, 222 folios survived (folios 1 and 41-44 are missing)
© Library of Trinity College Dublin (MS 52)