Archbishop Emeritus Fiorenza shares a prayer in the time of coronavirus
March 24, 2020
PRAYER IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS
The four Gospels give us an image of Jesus who traveled through towns and villages to cure disease and illness. The Gospel reading for Tuesday of the fourth week of Lent reveals the miracle when Jesus restored health to a crippled man. His remarkable sensitivity for a person afflicted with a disability gives us a strong confidence that today Jesus is still able and willing to relieve pain and suffering from any illness.
In our daily prayers let us implore Jesus to pass through our cities and communities as He did in the gospel with His divine healing for victims of this new disease and protection for the courageous doctors, nurses and other volunteers who are ministering to them.
May our gracious God bless them in their dangerous work and give them the consolation of knowing they are truly doing His will in eliminating this newest plague on the world.
O Jesus, healer of all disease, help us to overcome fear and anxiety which prevents us from working together to overcome this human tragedy. Remain with us, Lord and Savior, as we endure the difficulties and disruptions of our daily lives. Give us patience, serenity and peace of mind and heart during these unsettling times. Help us to have profound trust that you are with us and will help us to prevail over this pandemic.
We remember, O, Lord, those who have died from this disease as we pray for their eternal peace in your loving embrace. Please give to those who mourn their death every consoling grace and strength during their grief and sorrow.
In this time of danger and fear, we turn in filial love and trust to our Mother Mary, the health of the sick and comforter of the afflicted, the Mother of Good Counsel, to intercede for us to be delivered from present sorrow and obtain protection from this world-wide scourge.
To you O clement and loving Mother, we entrust ourselves to your protection and deliverance from this present world-wide danger. Amen.
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza