Dear brothers and sisters!
The month of May is approaching – a time when the people of God express with particular intensity their devotion and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a tradition in this month to pray the Rosary together as a family. The restrictions of the pandemic have led us to appreciate this “family” aspect even more, also from a spiritual perspective. For this reason, I wish to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary in our homes. This can be done either together or individually; you can decide according to your situation, making the most of both possibilities. The essence of this prayer is always simplicity, and even online it is possible to find good ways to pray the Rosary to follow. Here, I offer two prayers to the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, which you can pray at the end of the Rosary. I too will pray these two prayers during the month of May, to be spiritually united with all of you in prayer.
Dear brothers and sisters,
contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary makes the Virgin Mary unite us as one spiritual family, helping us to overcome this time of trial together. You are all in my prayers, especially those who suffer the most, and I ask that you also pray for me. I thank you and send you my blessing with great affection.
Franciscus
First prayer
O Mary,
you shine on our path
as a sign of hope and salvation that cannot be extinguished.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the foot of the Cross
were united with the suffering of Jesus and remained steadfast in faith.
Protector of the Roman People, you know our needs
and we are certain that you will provide, so that after this time of trial, joy and rejoicing may return to our lives, as at Cana in Galilee.
Mother of Divine Love,
help us to respond to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us.
For He took upon Himself our sufferings,
and burdened Himself with our burdens,
to lead us through the cross
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.
Second prayer
“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God” in the present tragic situation, when the whole world is gripped by suffering and unrest, we come to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.
Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes toward us during this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distressed and mourn their deceased loved ones, sometimes buried in ways that cause deep anguish. Be close to those who are anxious for their sick loved ones and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be near them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by uncertainty about the future and by concern for the consequences affecting the economy and employment.
Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Persuade your Son, as you did at Cana, to comfort the families of the sick and the victims of the disease and to open their hearts to trust.
Protect doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and volunteers who are on the front lines of this crisis and risk their lives to save others. Support their heroic efforts and grant them strength, generosity, and lasting health.
Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in carrying out their pastoral duties and remaining faithful to the Gospel, strive to help and support everyone.
Blessed Virgin, enlighten the minds of scientists so that they may find an effective solution to overcome this virus.
Support state leaders so that they may help, with wisdom, care, and generosity, those who lack the essentials for life and develop social and economic solutions inspired by foresight and solidarity.
Most Holy Mary, awaken our conscience so that the enormous sums invested in the stockpiling and development of weapons may instead be directed to effective scientific research that could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Dear Mother, help us understand that we all belong to one great family. Help us to notice the bond that unites us, so that in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity we may alleviate poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, steadfast in service, and constant in prayer.
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, take under your mantle all your suffering children and ask that God stretch out His almighty hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life may peacefully continue in its normal rhythm.
We entrust ourselves to you, who shine on our path as an unfading sign of redemption and faith, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.