St Patrick (387-493)

Ancient Saint Patrick's Day Prayer

O God,by whose providence

the blessed Patrick was chosen

to be the apostle of the Irish;

that thus the people of Hibernia,

who had gone astray in darkness

and in the errors of the Gentiles,

might be made children of the Most High

by the laver of regeneration:

Grant, we beseech thee,

that by his intercession,

we may hasten without delay

to the paths of justice.

Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

From the Breviary (book) of Armagh, 8th century