Celtic fashion week

I wonder whether breastplates will feature on the cat walks of Milan, Paris or London this year? This mornings the BBC Radio 4 service was from Belfast and included a version of St Patrick's breastplate [http://prayerfoundation.org/st_patricks_breastplate_prayer.htm]. It made me think that breastplates were all very well for St Patrick but what about contemporary fashion? So I have settled for a t-shirt. The version of the poem with which I am familiar (which dates from at least the ninth century) includes a remembered core gospel as well as the works of the Creator and the Spirit. Only problem with my St Patrick's T-shirt version is I'd need quite a big t-shirt to get it all on.

St Patrick’s T-shirt

I’ll write it here, the Trinity
The three in one, the one in three.

I remember Jesus born in a stable,
Baptised in the river Jordan,
Broke bread, shared wine around a table,
Died on a cross and then rose up
Appeared to friends, the stuff of fable,
Ate again the ‘not last supper’.

I’ll write it here, the Trinity
The three in one, the one in three.

I recall God’s created wonders,
All around me air, earth, fire, water;
And forgiveness for our blunders,
Misuse or pollution of the same.
I recall the Spirit’s action,
Interpreting and then translating
Languages of very faction:
Dancing with diversity.

I’ll write it here, the Trinity
The three in one, the one in three.

With me – Christ!
In me – Christ!
Behind me – Christ!
Before me – Christ!
Beside me – Christ!
Beneath me – Christ!
Above me – Christ!
Winning and restoring Christ,
Quiet and confirming Christ,
In heart – Christ!
In mouth – Christ!

I’ll write it here, the Trinity
The three in one, the one in three,
Always here, upon my chest,
In remembering this, my life is blessed.
But I do need a bigger T-shirt.


copyright Janet Lees 15.03.2009
A version of St Patrick’s breastplate.