Prayer is an importa
nt way for Catholics to respond to any crisis as we express our dependence on God. We pray especially for all those who are ill, their families, health care workers and officials working to slow the spread of COVID-19. Bishop Parkes urges the faithful to pray and fast for a quick and positive resolution of the current pandemic and for compassion and kindness to prevail in the hearts of all as we care for those in need.
The following prayer is adapted from the Roman Missal:
Almighty ever-living God, eternal health of believers,
hear our prayers for your servants who are sick with coronavirus:
grant them, we implore you, your merciful help,
so that, with their health restored,
they may give you thanks in the midst of your Church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Pope Francis’ Prayer to the Virgin Mary for the Protection from Coronavirus
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O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
ORACIÓN A LA VIRGEN MARÍA PARA LA PROTECCIÓN CONTRA EL CORONAVIRUS
Oh María,
tú resplandeces siempre en nuestro camino
como signo de salvación y de esperanza.
Confiamos en ti, salud de los enfermos,
que junto a la cruz te asociaste al dolor de Jesús,
manteniendo firme tu fe.
Tú, salvación del pueblo romano,
sabes lo que necesitamos
y estamos seguros de que proveerás,
para que, como en Caná de Galilea,
pueda volver la alegría y la fiesta
después de este momento de prueba.
Ayúdanos, Madre del Divino Amor,
a conformarnos a la voluntad del Padre
y a hacer lo que nos diga Jesús,
que ha tomado sobre sí nuestros sufrimientos
y ha asumido nuestras aflicciones,
para llevarnos, a través de la cruz,
a la alegría de la resurrección. Amén.
Bajo tu amparo nos acogemos, Santa Madre de Dios.
No deseches las oraciones que te dirigimos en nuestras necesidades,
antes bien, líbranos de todo peligro, oh Virgen gloriosa y bendita.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Protectin of Coronavirus (via the USCCB)
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
The Rosary
Pray a Family Rosary. Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries would be appropriate now, as it is Lent and since we can more readily unite our own sufferings to Christ when we meditate upon Him in His Agony and Passion (suggestion from the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico).
Scripture Readings
Reading the Passion Narratives (Mt. 26-27; Mk. 14-15; Lk. 22-23; Jn. 18-19) would be appropriate now, both as it is Lent and since we can more readily unite our own sufferings to Christ when we meditate upon Him in His Agony and Passion (suggestion from the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico).
Spiritual Communion
There are spiritual alternatives for those who cannot attend Mass. These might include:
- Hearing the readings proclaimed and the Gospel preached by watching televised versions of the Mass for the benefit of spiritual communion. These are available from many sources – online, radio and television. Find a listing here.
Some examples of spiritual communion can be found here:
