“I bind unto myself today, the strong name of The Trinity.”  Opening Line of the Lorica of St. Patrick

What part does The Holy Trinity play in your prayers?  Does it have any place at all?

It is not uncommon to find the familiar Celtic symbol of the Holy Trinity in churches, crosses, and of course in jewelry.  That symbol is believed to have been copied from the earlier Norseman (Vikings) who invaded Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales on numerous occasions throughout history.  They had a similar symbol called the “triquetra”, which is believed to have been a reminder of the elements of earth, water, and fire, as well as the heavenly ones of sun, moon, and stars.  The Celts evidently borrowed the symbol and converted it for their own purposes.  Some say that St. Patrick used it due to the resemblance with a clover.

But it wasn’t the symbol of the Holy Trinity that was of primary importance, but rather the Holy Trinity itself.  To believe that God is a united One, yet comprised of three distinct persons (substances), made perfect sense to those who were close to the earth and could see the trinitarian principal represented in birth, life, and death.

For the early followers of The Way of Patrick the Holy Trinity was central not only to their faith life, but in their prayer life.  We saw a glimpse of it last week in the Lorica of St. Patrick.  But certainly, the Holy Trinity was not limited to this prayer of St. Patrick.  Praying to and in the Name of The Holy Trinity was quite common for everyone, even the most common of people.  Ester DeWaal in her book “Every Earthly Blessing” records some of these prayers found in the Carmina Gadelica.  I’d like to share some of them with you now to give you an indication of how intricately woven and sacredly essential the Holy Trinity was in the life of Celtic Christians. 

My walk this day with God,

My walk this day with Christ,

My walk this day with Spirit.

The threefold all-kindly.

Ho! Ho! Ho! The threefold all-kindly.

My shielding this day from ill,

My shielding this night from harm,

Ho! Ho! Both my soul and my body,

Be by Father, by Son, by Holy Spirit;

By Father, by Son, by Holy Spirit.[i]

Here is another that was prayed when a baby was first born.  Prior to the church baptism that usually occurred on the eighth day, the newborn infant received an unofficial sprinkling with water.

In The Name of God,

In The Name of Jesus,

In The Name of Spirit,

The perfect three of power.

The little drop of the Father,

On thy little forehead, beloved one.

The little drop of the Son,

On thy little forehead, beloved one.

The little drop of the Spirit,

On thy little forehead, beloved one.

The little drop of the Three,

To shield thee from sorrow.

The little drop of the Three,

To fill thee with their pleasantness.

The little drop of the Three,

To fill thee with their virtue.[1]

I would invite you to consider picking up De Waal’s book, or the Carmina itself.  And even more, to pray The Holy Trinity as did the Celts.

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[1] Carmina Gadelica III, p. 17-19

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[i] Carmina Gaedelica III. P. 49