Praying For Ireland’s Eighth Amendment

Despite the entire political class pushing for abortion by repeal of the Eighth Amendment, the polls are surprisingly close in Ireland, according to the Catholic Herald.

Irish voters will be going to the polls on May 25 to decide whether to liberalise the country’s strict abortion laws. Leo Varadkar’s government is pushing strongly for a Yes vote in what will be a test of Ireland’s declining Catholic identity.

The referendum concerns the proposed repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, passed in 1983, which establishes the right to life of the unborn child on a par with that of the mother. As a result, Ireland has one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws, with abortion only permitted when there is a risk to the mother’s life. The constitutional provision has made it very difficult for legislators or judges to widen the scope of the law.

The referendum, if passed, would be a radical change. If it secures a Yes vote in May, the Varadkar government is proposing a law which would be more permissive than that in Britain for unborn children up to 12 weeks, allowing abortion on demand, and mirroring UK provisions on medically certified abortions after 12 weeks. (for the rest of the article, go to: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/april-6th-2018/can-the-irish-establishment-lose/)

But Fr. Richard Heilman, priest of the diocese of Madison, WI, reminds us that prayer is powerful, and that he for one has not given up on appealing to heaven for Ireland to retain its pro life stance.

He’s announced his plan on his great site, Roman Catholic Man, reposted here. I’m in. Are you?

Going to Confession: The holier we are determines how powerful our prayers are in waging the spiritual warfare. I want no “tox-sins” hindering the merit of my prayer.
Serious Fasting: This is an act that says “I am totally Yours!” Removing material wants positions us to receive spiritual gains.
Remember Ireland at Masses: At every Mass, until May 25, I will remember to pray for Ireland.
Holy Face Chaplet: This is the first movement of “exorcism.” Binding Satan’s power through this mighty devotion of the Holy Face. (How to is HERE)
Saint Patrick’s Lorica Prayer: This is an ancient prayer that seeks “protection.” In this case, we are calling upon God, through the intercession of St. Patrick, to protect Ireland from the invasion of the culture of death.
Sacred Heart Novena (May 17-25): When I heard that this prayer (written by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque) was the one Padre Pio would use when people asked him to pray for them, I needed no further encouragement for choosing this prayer in the same way. (How to is HERE)
Holy Rosary: We call upon Our Lady to crush the head of the serpent with this mightiest of prayers.

SAINT PATRICK’S LORICA FOR PROTECTION

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 judgment of doom.

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.

(photo: Pro-lifers campaign for a ‘No’ vote in May 25 referendum in Ireland. (via Facebook.com/protect8th/)