Said in the morning when rising
Christ be with me,
be after me,
be before me,
and be at my right and left hand.
May everything I do be for Christ.
Traditional Irish House Blessing:
God bless the corners of this house
And be the lintel blessed.
Bless the hearth, the table too
And bless each place of rest.
Bless each door that opens wide
To stranger, kith and kin;
Bless each shining window-pane
That lets the sunshine in.
Bless the roof-tree up above
Bless every solid wall.
The peace of Man, the peace of love,
The peace of God on all.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in
the hollow of His hand.
In Time of Sorrow…
May you see God’s light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember
when the shadows fall –
You do not walk alone.
May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
The blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet on the road.
Death leaves a heartache
no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory no
one can steal.
Remembered Joy
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all…
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss…
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief –
Don’t shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.
Until we meet again,
may God Hold you
in the palm of his hand.
An Irish Funeral Prayer
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together
is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that
we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because
I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting,
when we meet again.Source: derived from a sermon written by Henry Scott Holland
and delivered in St. Paul's (London) on 15 May 1910,
at which time the body of King Edward VII
was lying in state at Westminster.
An Irish Blessing for Death:
I pray that you will have the blessing
of being consoled…
May you know in your soul that there is
no need to be afraid.
When your time comes, may you be given
every blessing and shelter that you need.
May there be a beautiful welcome for you
in the home that you are going to.
You are not going somewhere strange.
You are going back to the home that you
never left.
May you have a wonderful urgency to live
your life to the full.
May you live compassionately and creatively
and transfigure everything
that is negative within you and about you.
When you come to die may it be after a long life.
May you be peaceful and happy and in the presence
of those who really care for you.
May your going be sheltered and
your welcome assured.
May your soul smile in the embrace of your
anam cara (soul friend).Source: John O’Donohue’s
"Anam Cara: Spiritual Wisdom for the Celtic World"
(1997, Bantam)
May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now,
And bless you evermore.
From Saint Patrick’s Breastplate:
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.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 Day of Judgment.I arise today
Through the strength of the love
of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet
with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The 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 shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.I summon today
All these powers between me and
those evils,
Against every cruel and 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 an
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.
From Saint Patrick:
God, whom we announce to you,
is the Ruler of all things.
The God of heaven and earth, of the sea
and the rivers.
The God of the sun, and the moon,
and all the stars.
The God of the high mountains and of
the low lying valleys.
The God who is above heaven, and
in heaven, and under heaven.
His dwelling is in heaven and earth,
and the sea, and all therein.
He gives breath to all.
He gives life to all.
He is over all.
He upholds all.
He gives light to the sun.
He imparts splendour to the moon.
He has made wells in the dry land,
and islands in the ocean.
He has appointed the stars to serve
the greater lights.
His Son is co-eternal and co-equal
with Himself.
The Son is not younger than the Father.
And the Father is not older than the Son.
And the Holy Ghost proceeds from them.
The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost
are undivided.
But I desire by Faith to unite you
to the Heavenly King, as you are daughters
of an earthly king.
May you always have
walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain,
tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.
May St. Patrick guard you
wherever you go,
and guide you in whatever you do–
and may his loving protection
be a blessing to you always.
May the sun shine,
all day long,
everything go right,
and nothing wrong.
May those you love
bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes
you wish come true!
May God be with you and bless you,
May you see your children’s children,
May you be poor in misfortune,
rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but
happiness from this day forward.
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
May you have the hindsight
to know where you’ve been,
the foresight to know where you’re going
and the insight to know
when you’re going too far.
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
May peace and plenty be the first,
To lift the latch to your door.
And happiness be guided to your home,
By the candle of Christmas.
May the hand of a friend
always be near you,
And may God fill your heart
with gladness to cheer you.
May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness
to cheer you.
May the good saints protect you,
And bless you today.
And may troubles ignore you,
Each step of the way.
These things, I warmly wish for you–
Someone to love, some work to do,
A bit of o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer.
And a guardian angel always near.
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers–
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours–
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!
Whenever there is happiness
Hope you’ll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they’ll smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine,
Hope it shine especially for you
to make each day for you
as bright as it can be.
May your troubles be less,
And your blessing be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play–
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song–
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life long!
When the first light of sun – Bless you.
When the long day is done – Bless you.
In your smiles and your tears – Bless you.
Through each day of your years – Bless you.
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all of your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To whom we all pray,
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way.
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
May the Lord keep you in His hand
And never close His fist too tight.
May the morning sun stir you out of bed,
May the winter winds move you on the road,
May the rains of March renew your strength,
May the flowers of spring captivate your sight,
May summer heat inflame your zeal,
May autumn color stimulate your dreams,
May the silver moon make you wiser yet,
May you never be with yourself content,
May Jesus and Mary keep you young,
Full of life and laughter and love.
And may the God of challenge and adventure
Bless you and keep you always,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 5
May your faith be strong as a mountain wall,
And subtle as the early morning mists.
May you believe that God’s power conquers all,
And his love through trouble and pain persists.
May your faith soar like a multi-colored bird,
And shine brighter than the blinding desert sun.
Because you know your prayers are ever heard
And Jesus waits when the final day is done.
And may God bless you,
The Father who rules the starry skies,
The Son who rose from the dead,
And the Spirit who comes in hope.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 26
May the God of the misty dawn waken you,
May the God of the rising sun stir you up,
May the God of morning sky send you on your way,
May the God of noonday stillness renew
your strength,
May the God of afternoon bring you home,
May the God of sunset delight your eye,
May the God of twilight calm your nerves,
And the God of dusk bring you peace.
And may God bless you:
The Rising and the Setting Sun,
The Alpha and the Omega,
The Beginning and the End,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 27
May you treasure wisely this jeweled, gilded time
And cherish each day as an extra grace
Whose heedless loss would be a tragic crime
In today's tasks may you find God's tender face.
May you know that to miss love's smallest chance
Is a lost opportunity, a senseless waste.
May you see need in every anxious glance,
May you sort out of the dull and commonplace
An invitation to God's merry, manic dance
And may the Lord of the dance bless you
As he invites you to the dance of the
hallowed present
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 33
May each day have its own wonder and rebirth,
Its molding of new life from unwilling clay,
Its springing in surprise from reluctant earth,
Its hint of victory on final Judgment Day,
And may the God of daily resurrections bless you,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 57
May your hope be…
As determined as the river racing by,
As soft as the cry of the mourning dove,
As sweet and subtle as a lover's sigh,…
As resolute as the sun rising each day,
As certain as the return each year of spring.
May it break through the darkling clouds
And confirm you against every evil thing.
May Jesus and Mary and Patrick and Brigid
Strengthen your faith and hope and love,
And may God bless you
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 96
May the autumn leaves carpet beneath your feet
And the angels lead you through the classday maze,
May your homecoming time be extra sweet
And your heart warm with Indian summer days,
Like Jesus may you grow in wisdom, age, and grace.
May you learn to read and write and think and sing,
May you swiftly run in knowledge’s rapid race
And may God’s kind love to all your
roommates bring.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 128
May the Good Shepherd protect you in
Ups and downs,
Ins and outs,
Bounds and rebounds,
Highs and lows,
Comings and goings,
Heat and cold,
Darkness and light,
Joy and sorrow,
Good times and bad times,
Daytimes and nighttimes,
Short times and long times,
Old times and new times;
May He be with you
At home and abroad,
On the road and at rest,
In storm and flood,
In drought and desert,
In peace and conflict,
In doubt and assurance,
In sickness and health,
In pain and triumph.
May the Good Shepherd walk
with you always
Until it is time to return home,
And may God bless you,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Source: Fr. Andrew M. Greeley.
The Irish, Contemporary Books, p. 154
