Local Catholic Megan Ramones’ modern interpretation of Christ resurrected on Easter morning
Compiled by the diocesan Office of Worship
These suggested prayers are for the faithful of the Diocese of Honolulu to join together in solidarity. We pray for all the sick, the caregivers, the dead, and for all those affected in so many different ways by this pandemic.
Also included below are directions on making a spiritual communion for those who will watch Mass on TV or online and wish to partake more fully in the Eucharist.
Prayer for the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic
By Bishop Larry Silva, March 12, 2020
Dear God of all the living, you sent your Son Jesus to heal us from illness and sin. We turn to his healing power in this time of anxiety over the pandemic of this potentially deadly virus.
St. Damien and St. Marianne Cope dedicated their lives to service of those who had an infectious disease. St. Marianne Cope said, “I am not afraid of any disease,” because she was confident of your power to save. At the same time, she took prudent precautions of hygiene to assure that she and her Sisters would not be infected.
Let us learn from this example to put our trust in you to save us from the ravages of disease and to take prudent measures to prevent its spread. Guide us to know when to isolate ourselves from the possibility of infection, but never let anyone be left without the care and concern of others in the community.
As our Diocese of Honolulu has been dedicated to the Divine Mercy, we pray with confidence, “Jesus, I trust in you.”
Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles
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.
Prayer for a Pandemic
From the Interfaith Hospitality Network in Cincinnati
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
Prayer to Mary, Health of the Sick
CNS translation of the prayer Pope Francis recited by video March 11 asking Mary to protect Italy and the world during the coronavirus pandemic.
O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection.
Amen.
Spiritual Communion
St. Thomas Aquinas described spiritual Communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him” at a time or in circumstances when we cannot receive him in sacramental Communion. With the absence of public Masses in the diocese, the opportunity for receiving spiritual communion is particularly appropriate.
Spiritual Communion needs no special instruction; it only requires the same disposition as the actual reception of the sacrament and a turning to Jesus with the heart. No particular prayer or formulary is required; however, to help focus a proper intention, recitation of a prayer is suggested. One of the most popular is that composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori below:
My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire you with all my heart. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already in my heart and unite myself to you completely. Please do not let me ever by separated from you.
