An Irish Blessing for St. Patrick's Day

I have recently been drawn to the writings of John O'Donohue, after a dear friend suggested  I listen to his episode on the radio show 'On Being' with Krista Tippet.  His words spoke to me and voiced things that I could have never expressed without his help.  In honor of this holiday when many of us choose to celebrate our Irish heritage and history, I want to share a blessing he wrote.  

On the day when
The weight deadens
On your shoulders
And you stumble,
May the clay dance
To balance you.

And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The grey window
And the ghost of loss
Gets into you,
May a flock of colours,
Indigo, red, green
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
In the currach of thought
And a stain of ocean
Blackens beneath you,
May there come across the waters
A path of yellow moonlight
To bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
Wind work these words
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.

Beannacht - For Josie
“A New Year Blessing”
Benedictus (To Bless The Space Between Us)


This holiday always makes me think of the family and friends, near and far, passed and still living.  I am filled with joy, pride, and nostalgia.

And so I wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day, wherever you may be.