Early Christians prayed in the domestic church. In difficult times, when public worship is restricted, we are once again called to pray in the domestic church, mindful of Jesus’ promise: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst” (Mt 18:20).
In this difficult time
Lord Jesus Christ, our true physician and healer, be merciful to us and help us in this difficult time. Heal all our illnesses and all the sufferings of your people. Take away all the weaknesses of our soul and body; set us free from all diseases and especially from this epidemic.
We entrust to the care of your gentle Heart all the elderly, the weak, people with special needs, children, young people and families, our indigenous peoples, the poor, the lonely and those isolated from others. As you are with us on every path of our lives, free them from fear and grant them patience and hope together with our loving care.
In your mercy, also attend to the causes of our unfortunate situation, so that by healing our lack of faith and spiritual weakness, you may also heal our bodily illnesses.
We trust in you, risen Lord, who live and reign forever. Amen.
For those who care for the sick
Father of mercy, we thank you for all those who care for the sick.
Give them patience as they make diagnoses.
Give them your protection as they protect the vulnerable.
Give them strength as they treat.
Give them comfort as they console.
Give them rest when they are tired.
Give them hope when they are discouraged.
Embrace them with your love and honor them in this difficult time when we support one another.
For those seeking a cure for the virus
Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten the medical scientists who are working to find a cure for this virus. Guide their research and help them discover reliable methods of testing, protection, vaccination, and treatment, which You grant them in their work. Give them strength for their exhausting labor and increase in them the virtue of hope. Amen.
For our rulers and representatives
Eternal Wisdom, guide our leaders who are called to serve our people. Let them respond to this calamity with wisdom and prudent decisions. Grant that their plans may wisely alleviate economic difficulties, compensate for losses, protect employment, and ensure abundant food for the poor and those in isolation. Amen.
For humility
Merciful Lord, we stand before You in our human weakness.
We confess that we are gripped by pride and prejudice that guide our worldly society. Free us from the arrogance that afflicts our age, for now we stand in fear before a situation we cannot control or understand.
Give us humble and honest hearts so that we may perceive in nature the great mystery of Your providence. Let us accept Your justice and trust in Your redeeming mercy. Amen.
Some passages from Sacred Scripture
• The Lord is my shepherd, Psalm 23
• On the frailty of man, Psalm 90
• Jesus calls the burdened, Mt 11: 25-30
• Jesus heals in Capernaum, Lk 4:38-44
• Children of God, Rom 8:14-17
• Salvation and suffering, 1 Pt 1:3-9
• The promise – a new heaven and a new earth, Rev 21:1-7
Sub Tuum praesidium
Since the third century, Christians have prayed this short prayer to the Virgin Mary in difficult times.
We take refuge under your protection and shelter, Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our prayers in our needs, but always deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Our Lady of Good Health
A prayer from the chapel of Our Lady of Good Health located in Rome, in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, where the tomb of St. Camillus de Lellis is also found.
Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Good Health, in visiting Saint Elizabeth and in keeping vigil at the foot of the cross of your suffering Son, you showed unity with suffering humanity. Hear the prayers of all your needy children who come to you with firm hope of finding a Mother who welcomes, heals, and consoles them.
Mother of our Savior and our Mother, hear the prayers we entrust to your intercession: heal us from our illnesses, turn our tears into prayer and our suffering into moments of growth, our loneliness into contemplation and our waiting into hope; help us in our final hours and transform our death into resurrection. Amen.
Our Lady of Velankanni
At the magnificent Marian shrine in Velankanni, India, thousands of pilgrims of different faiths come every day seeking the healing intercession of their beloved Mother. Let us join in their prayer.
Radiant Queen, our gentle Mother of mercy and compassion, look kindly upon your children who now seek your help and consolation. Pray for our protection and healing, for patience, perseverance in suffering, and obedience to the will of God. Amen.
Litany of the Saints of Mercy
At this time we are surrounded in the communion of saints by many invisible friends. Let us confidently ask the saints and angels for the healing and health of those who have fallen ill, and also ask for protection from the virus.
Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us.
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Immaculate Mary of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
Saint Raphael the Archangel, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Saint virgin and martyr Dymphna, pray for us.
Saint Bishop Blaise, pray for us.
Saint King and martyr Edmund, pray for us.
Saint Peregrine Laziosi, pray for us.
Saint Juliana Falconieri, pray for us.
Saint Margaret of Castello, pray for us.
Saint Lidwina, pray for us.
Saint Roch the hermit, pray for us.
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us.
Saint John of God, pray for us.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us.
Saint Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, pray for us.
Saint Martin de Porres, pray for us.
Saint Camillus de Lellis, pray for us.
Saint Louise de Marillac, pray for us.
Saint Jeanne Jugan, pray for us.
Saint Damien of Molokai, pray for us.
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
If it is not possible to attend Mass
Read the readings of the day or at least a passage from the Gospel. Reflect on them quietly. Then you may also read the intercessions. Read the rite of Communion and use it or another suitable text to receive Jesus spiritually.
Spiritual Communion
Lord Jesus, we cannot receive you sacramentally in the Eucharist at this time. Help us to receive you spiritually as we await the day when your saving Sacrifice is again celebrated and the divine Banquet is distributed in our churches.
You are the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
My Jesus, come to me. I long for you; grant that I may always be united with you.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Come, Lord Jesus! Hail, Eucharistic Lord. Hail, my Savior and my God.
Lord, I believe. Lord, I adore, Lord, I receive. My Lord! I thank you for the grace I now receive. A silent prayer of thanksgiving.
Lent and our journey toward Easter
This crisis came in the midst of Lent. On our journey toward Easter 2020, let us cultivate personal prayer, fasting, and self-sacrifice, being generous to the poor. Let us seek reconciliation by examining our conscience and performing acts of penance. It is recommended to pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily and to meditate on the Stations of the Cross and the mysteries of the Rosary. If the services of Holy Week do not take place publicly, let us read the appropriate texts each day.
For the faithful departed
Lord Jesus, be merciful to all who have passed into eternity because of this virus. Comfort and strengthen their families and friends with the hope of your glorious Resurrection.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. + May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
For peace of the soul
Let nothing disturb you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing:
God alone is unchanging.
Patience obtains all things,
whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila