-
-
-
STORM HEAVEN
-
Fasting
-
"Fasting is a voluntary abstinence from something good, usually food. It’s a familiar spiritual practice for most of us, but it’s also a practice we tend to take up only during Lent or only when the Church tells us we have to. That’s unfortunate because fasting is, in the words of St. Basil the Great, a powerful “weapon of protection against demons.” Similarly, Christ tells his disciples that certain kinds of demons can only be cast out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). With this in mind, we should want to be well-practiced at fasting and have this form of prayer in our spiritual arsenal at all times." - McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame. Read More
-
In his July 30 update to priests on the status of church reopenings, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone asked them to help their parishioners engage in focused prayer and penance as we endure all of the difficult conditions that Coronavirus has caused. “…it is my conviction that, with all that is going on in our society at this time, we need to redouble our efforts on the spiritual level. In particular, in addition to adoration, we have to reclaim an authentic and serious spirit of fasting.
Fasting has traditionally been understood to mean no more than one meal in the course of a day. I am asking you to join me in observing Friday as a day of fast (unless your health condition cannot allow for it): please abstain from at least one meal on Fridays, and more than one if possible.
Let us storm heaven with prayer and fasting for a restoration of public worship unhindered, for a swift end to this pandemic, for health care workers and researchers, and for government officials who must make very complicated decisions for the overall well-being of our communities.”
-
Adoration
-
(pre-COVID; call parish to confirm schedule)
-
-
Prayers in Our Time of Crisis
-
Pray along with the Archdiocesan family.
This booklet of suggested prayers is for the faithful of the Archdiocese 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.
This booklet includes prayers that you can recite at any time, either alone or in a group.
We have also included advice on how to make a spiritual communion for those who will watch Mass on TV or livestreamed and wish to partake more fully in the Eucharist.
-
-
-
A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
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.
by Archbishop José H. Gomez Oración a la Virgen de Guadalupe
-
-
-
A Prayer of Pope Francis in Rome
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 Roman 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.Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Pope Francis, spoken March 4, 2020
-
-
-
A Prayer for Those Who Are Ill
Merciful God, hear our fervent prayer for all who suffer from the coronavirus.
May those who are infected receive the proper treatment and the comfort of your healing presence.
May their caregivers, families and neighbors be shielded from the onslaught of the virus.
Give solace to those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
Protect and guide those who strive to find a cure, that their work may conquer the disease and restore communities to wholeness and health.
Help us to rise above fear. We ask all this through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, and in the name of your Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
from Catholic Health Association of the United States
A Prayer for Consolation
God of all consolation,
your Son calmed the wind and rain,
and healed the sick of mind and body.
Through your fatherly care, grant us your protection from illness
and help us to stand firm in the midst of danger.
Grant your healing to those who are ill
and bring this time of sickness to a swift end.
Guide us, that we might show your compassion, and live your justice:
never losing hope or seeking our own good at the expense of another.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
from The Roman Missal
-
A Prayer of Solidarity
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.
from the Interfaith Hospitality Network in Cincinnati
-
