Cardinal Tagle calls for prayers ahead of hurricane

Cardinal Tagle calls for prayers ahead of hurricane

Vatican Radio) The Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, has called for prayers as hurricane Hagupit approaches the Philippines.

Tens of thousands of people were fleeing coastal villages and landslide-prone areas in the central Philippines on Friday, as typhoon Hagupit bore down on eastern coasts of the island nation where thousands were killed in a devastating storm last year.

Ports were shut across the archipelago, leaving more than 2,000 travellers stranded in the capital Manila, the central Bicol region and Mindanao island in the south, after the coastguard suspended sea travel ahead of the typhoon.

In his message, Cardinal Tagle speaks of the “dread” many people in the Philippines feel as yet another potentially devastating hurricane approaches. Yet, he said, “We should not give in to panic. Instead let us focus on being prepared and on being of help. Let us heed all typhoon warnings and all advisories from the government agencies that monitor this type of situations.”

Prayer should be part of people’s preparation, the Cardinal said. “Let us humble ourselves and seek the mercy and compassion of God at this time of impending peril and destruction.” He called on Catholics in the Philippines to pray an “Oratio imperata for deliverance from calamities” in their churches, beginning from Thursday evening.

Cardinal Tagle concluded his message with a call for Catholics to reach out and help those in need: “Along with our prayer for mercy and deliverance to God our Father, let us fill our hearts with compassion for those who are hungry, homeless, isolated by floods, threatened by strong winds and landslides. Let us pray that they may find food, shelter, and safety.”

Below, please find the complete text  of Cardinal Tagle's message, along with the "Oratio imperata for deliverance from calamities," the prayer he has asked to be prayed for relief from the hurricane:

Typhoon Ruby (International name: Hagupit) has entered our country. Some weather experts categorize it as a Super Typhoon, and this awakens extreme dread and fear among us especially those who are victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

We should not give in to panic. Instead let us focus on being prepared and on being of help. Let us heed all typhoon warnings and all advisories from the government agencies that monitor this type of situations.

Let our preparations include prayer. Let us humble ourselves and seek the mercy and compassion of God at this time of impending peril and destruction.

Let us pray this “Oratio Imperata for Deliverance from Calamaties” in our churches beginning tonight (December 4, 2014) until it is lifted.

Along with our prayer for mercy and deliverance to God our Father, let us fill our hearts with compassion for those who are hungry, homeless, isolated by floods, threatened by strong winds and landslides. Let us pray that they may find food, shelter, and safety.

ORATIO IMPERATA FOR DELIVERANCE FROM CALAMITIES

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to you
in gratitude for the wonders of creation,
for your providence in sustaining us in our needs
and for your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against you and the rest of creation.
We have not been good stewards of your creation.
We turn to you, our loving Father and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We pray to you for protection from calamities,
from the floods and raging waters brought by storms,
from howling winds that destroy our homes,
from the loosening of earth that brings landslides.

Calm the storm and keep us all safe and far from harm
these perilous days and always. 

We ask this through Your Son Jesus Christ who lives
and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit now and forever.

Amen.

+Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle
Archbishop of Manila

www.en.radiovaticana.va