#stdallanforghaill

Our Morning Offering – 29 January

Be Thou my vision by St Dallan Forghaill

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower. Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s son, Heart of my heart, whatever befall Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Today, 29 January, is also the Memorial of St Dallan Forghaill (c530- 598)

Born in Connaught, Ireland, he was known for his learning and reputedly went blind because of his intensive studying. St Dallan was an early Christian Irish poet known as the writer of the “Amra Choluim Chille” (“Elegy of Saint Columba”) and “Rop Tú Mo Baile”(“Be Thou My Vision”). He died at the hands of pirates at Inis-coel. Legend has it that St. Dallan made his own head reattach to his body after he was beheaded and thrown into the sea.