Celtic Franciscan Companions

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day!

06/27/2025

03/17/2025

Protection

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
~ Psalm 91:4

In this season I prepare to go to this ancient, quiet, and sacred place… a Thin Place… in search of a fresh awakening of God’s Holy Presence within me.
~ Craig Sefa, I Arise Today

The Lorica or Breastplate of St. Patrick, also known as the Deer’s Cry or Hymn of St. Patrick, is a caim prayer of protection. We are immersed in Christ and God’s unconditional love. The portion of the prayer below is translated by Kuno Meyer.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom…

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the 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 way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me…

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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

01/02/2025

Faith in Action… two holy traditions in the city of Holy Faith.

Our own Fr. Rick OCF assists his longtime friend Rabbi Beryl from the SF Chabad and Jewish Center in setting up the Hanukkah Menorah in the Santa Plaza after vandals knocked it down and broke it during the night.

12/29/2024

Recorded on Christmas Eve 24 December 2024 at St. Mark's Seminary Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Join us in the high desert for a cozy, candlelit Christmas...

10/07/2024

Join the Order of Celtic Franciscans as they Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis and Mass on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time at St. Mark's Seminary Chapel in...

10/04/2024

Happy feast day of St. Francis today!

08/11/2024

Feast day of St. Clare of Assisi... Pray for us!