Praying together during a time of need.

Pope Francis’s prayer to Mary during 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 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.

Dear brothers and sisters of Europe, 24/03/2020
As Presidents of the two bodies representing the Bishops' Conferences of European countries, we turn to you so that, at this difficult time when we are sorely tested by the pandemic caused by COVID-19, together we can raise our common prayer to God for help, comfort and salvation.

God our Father, Creator of the world, almighty and merciful, out of love for us
You sent your Son into the world as the doctor of our souls and our bodies,
look upon your children who, in this difficult time of confusion and dismay in many regions of Europe and the world
turn to you seeking strength, salvation and relief,
deliver us from illness and fear, heal our sick, comfort their families,
give wisdom to our rulers, energy and reward to our doctors, nurses and volunteers, eternal life to the dead.
Do not abandon us in the moment of trial but deliver us from all evil.
We ask this of Thee, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Mary, mother of health and hope, pray for us!
May our blessing be with you.

This Refection by Lynn Ungar, is based on the Old Testament notion of Sabbath Time.
On the seventh day the God of Creation rested. So as we are asked to spend more time apart, the reflection asked us to do so, positively.

What if you thought of i
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world different than it is.
Sing. Pray.
Touch only those to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
and when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart. Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

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.