The Boondock Saints prayer also known as “The Family Prayer” is an oath to God.
It has become very popular in recent times after the release of the movie Boondock Saints.
It was extracted from the 1999 film Boondock Saints itself.
Boondock Saints prayer was written by the director of the film Troy Duffy and his father. He wrote the movie based on his experiences living in Los Angeles.
Many people have bought the movie since it’s release, and posters of this prayer hang on many dorm room walls.
People have also made tattoos related to the Boondock Saints prayer on their bodies like copying Connor in the film who has tattoo on his left hand/index finger says “VERITAS”, which is Latin for “Truth”.
Murphy (Norman Reedus) has a tattoo in the same place, but on his right hand, that says, “AEQUITAS” which is Latin for “Justice/Equality”.
The prayer emphasizes stress on getting rid of the evil and saving the world from the apocalypse.
The weaker should have a say in every situation. The prayer revolves around a familiar parameter, victory of good over evil.
Boondock Saints Prayer (The Family Prayer)
And shepherds we shall be. For thee, my Lord, for thee.
Power hath descended forth from thy hand that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command.
So we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be.
E nomini patri, et Fili e spiritu sancti.
Meaning Of The Boondock Saints Prayer
It starts when the main characters of the film receive a message from God instructing them to “destroy all that which is evil, so that which is good may flourish.”
The Boondock Saints prayer signifies that the shepherds of the people for God and their power was sent from his hand. They promise to follow his directions and send him the sinners.
It explains beautifully the strength of getting united for a good cause, it compels you to put in your soul to devotion.
Anyone who feels that they are being cheated by the rich and powerful can chant Boondock Saints prayer with dedication, it will surely give you a boost and God will shower you with His blessings to fight the bad.
The ending part of this prayer from the Boondock Saints is in Latin. It’s translation is, more or less, “In the name of the father, of the son, and the Holy Spirit”.
So all in all the prayer translates to:
The powers and blessings which we receive from you will enable us to fulfil the duties of protecting faith and humanity, it will help us avenge injustice and we will be obliged to you God as we to be able to do something about it. The souls of the wicked shall be purified by blood, and sent back to their maker, if it is in their power. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Origin Of The Boondock Saints Prayer
There’s no such evidence about the prayer’s biblical origin. The Boondock Saints prayer may be linked to the bible verses or scriptures like:
“And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.” – Ezekiel 25:17
This bible verse signifies that the Almighty is omnipotence and omniscience.
Justice will be served to those who deserve and the bad shall be punished for their sins.
Though last line of the prayer is said to appear in the bible, which says: “E nomini patri, et Fili e spiritu sancti.”
This is a common phrase in the Catholic church used by priests.
The last line is found in Matthew 28:19-20 of the Latin Vulgate Bible which is:
euntes ergo docete omnes gentes baptizantes eos in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti docentes eos servare omnia quaecumque mandavi vobis et ecce ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus usque ad consummationem saeculi. – Matthew 28:19-20 of the Latin Vulgate Bible
This verse from the Bible was also the inspiration for a popular quote in the movie “Pulp Fiction”, which reads:
“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides with the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon those with great vengeance and with furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.”
The verse written above describes how sinners will know it’s God when he severely punishes those who have committed sins.
About The Movie Boondock Saints
The importance of the Boondock Saints prayer comes into play the main characters Conor and Murphy MacManus tell their incident to Smecker again, he then declines to press charges and allows them to spend the night in a holding cell to avoid attention from the media. That night, they receive a “calling” from God telling them to hunt down wicked men so that the innocent will flourish.
Connor and Murphy resolve to rid Boston of evil men for the victory to good over evil.
The film beautifully portrays how the two brothers (Conor and Murphy) gradually became vigilantes after killing two members of the Russian Mafia to rid their home city of Boston of crime and, who were in self-defense.
The Boondock Saints movie gained somewhat of a cult following and has become quite a popular movie.
Though the characters in the movie use the verse as inspiration to kill those who commit evil acts in real life you must remember that you can’t kill anyone and decide justice by yourself.
Wait for karma and God to make way for you. Just have faith and pray to God with full devotion and things will work out on its own.
