We all rejoice in the election of our new Pope, Pope Francis. God bless him mightily in his ministry for God’s people today!

Click here for news about his impromptu appearance, earlier this Sunday morning, at traffic lights near the tiny parish church of the Vatican.  http://www.newstimes.com/news/world/article/Pope-makes-impromptu-appearance-near-Vatican-4361074.php

For reflections on St. Patrick on this feast day, See Soul Food for Hungry Adult Communities, and Soul Food for Young Adult Communities, on this site. Go to Soul Food on Carousel.

The Esker Redemptorist Community.

‘I ARISE TODAY’- the Breastplate of St. Patrick, or The Deer’s Cry:

I arise today, through the strength of heaven; 
light of sun, radiance of moon, 
splendor of fire, speed of lightning, 
swiftness of the wind, depth of the sea, 
stability of earth, firmness of rock.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me; 
God’s eye to look before me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
from all who shall wish me ill, afar and a-near
alone and in a multitude.

Against every cruel merciless power 
that may oppose my body and soul,

Christ with me, Christ before me, 

Shrine of St. Patrick's Bell, in National Museum of Ireland.

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 to shield me.

Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me, 
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,

I arise today…….

Hear it beautifully sung on You Tube                                            www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHWiAGpIP0     

P.S. And on this day, we remember two Irish Redemptorists who set out in 2010 to begin a new Mission in Northern Mozambique and soon into Malawi. Their names,- Fr. Brian Holmes (in his 60′s), John Bermingham (in his late 30′s).  They are learning Chichewa, a local language spoken by 15 million people! They are two among so many! God bless them, in this new venture of the Irish Redemptorists.

Anyone for Chichewa???? Contact us! We can give you a continent to work in.

‘Every new generation is a new continent to be won for Christ.‘ (Pope John Paul 2)