Covid-19: Pope offers prayer to Virgin Mary for protection
Pope Francis composes a prayer to Our Lady, Health of the Sick, to implore her protection during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
By Devin Watkins
The Pope offered a prayer to the Virgin Mary on Wednesday
afternoon, in a video message to mark the Diocese of Rome’s day of prayer and
fasting for the coronavirus emergency.
The video was broadcast at the opening of a Mass celebrated
by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the diocesan vicar, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady
of Divine Love near Rome.
Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office,
said Tuesday that the Pope wanted to entrust the city of Rome, all of Italy,
and “the entire world to the protection of the Mother of God, as a sign of
salvation and hope” during the ongoing coronavirus emergency.
Steadfast in faith
In his prayer, Pope Francis calls Mary “Health of the Sick”,
adding that she kept her faith firm as she stood near the Cross as Jesus
suffered.
"You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we
need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at
Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of
trial."
The Pope also said we seek refuge under Our Lady’s
protection, knowing that she will help us “conform ourselves to the Father's
will”.
Historical precedents
The choice to celebrate Wednesday’s Mass at the Divine Love
Sanctuary holds significant historical value.
Pope Pius XII went to pray there before the statue of Our
Lady in June 1944.
He pleaded for the salvation of the city of Rome as Nazi
troops withdrew from Italy during World War II.
Now, over 75 years later, Pope Francis has asked the Virgin
Mary to watch over the world in this current moment of crisis.
An English-language translation of the Pope’s prayer is
below:
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of
salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our
sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of
God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test –
and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
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