Pope Francis has asked the faithful to add the following two prayers to their daily rosary during the month of May

FIRST PRAYER

O Mary,

You shine continuously on our journey

as a sign of salvation and hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,

who, at the foot of the cross,

were united with Jesus’ suffering,

and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”,

you know our needs,

and we know that you will provide,

so that, as at Cana in Galilee,

joy and celebration may return

after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform ourselves to the will of the Father

and to do what Jesus tells us.

For he took upon himself our suffering,

and burdened himself with our sorrows

to bring us, through the cross,

to the joy of the Resurrection.

Amen.

We fly to your protection,

O Holy Mother of God;

Do not despise our petitions

in our necessities,

but deliver us always

from every danger,

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

SECOND PRAYER

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for 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. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Litany of Supplication

We adore you, O Lord

True God and true man, truly present in this holy Sacrament.

We adore you, O Lord

Our Savior, God with us, faithful and rich in mercy

We adore you, O Lord

King and Lord of creation and of history

We adore you, O Lord

Conqueror of sin and death

We adore you, O Lord

Friend of humankind, the Risen One, the Living One who sits at the right hand of the Father.

We adore you, O Lord

We believe in you, O Lord

Only begotten Son of the Father, descended from heaven for our salvation

We believe in you, O Lord

Heavenly physician, who bows down over our misery

We believe in you, O Lord

Lamb who was slain, who offer yourself to rescue us from evil

We believe in you, O Lord

Good Shepherd, who give your life for the flock which you love

We believe in you, O Lord

Living bread and medicine for immortality, who give us eternal life

We believe in you, O Lord

Deliver us, O Lord

From the power of Satan and the seductions of the world

Deliver us, O Lord

From the pride and presumption of being able to do anything without you

Deliver us, O Lord

From the deceptions of fear and anxiety

Deliver us, O Lord

From unbelief and desperation

Deliver us, O Lord

From hardness of heart and the incapacity to love

Deliver us, O Lord

Save us, O Lord

From every evil that afflicts humanity

Save us, O Lord

From hunger, from famine and from egoism

Save us, O Lord

From illnesses, epidemics and the fear of our brothers and sisters

Save us, O Lord

From devastating madness, from ruthless interests and from violence

Save us, O Lord

From being deceived, from false information and the manipulation of consciences

Save us, O Lord

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect your Church which crosses the desert

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect humanity terrified by fear and anguish

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect the sick and the dying, oppressed by loneliness

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect doctors and healthcare providers exhausted by the difficulties they are facing

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect politicians and decision makers who bear the weight of having to make decisions

Comfort us, O Lord

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the hour of trial and from confusion

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In temptation and in our fragility

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the battle against evil and sin

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the search for what is truly good and true joy

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

in the decision to remain in you and in your friendship

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should sin oppress us

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should hatred close our hearts

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should sorrow visit us

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should indifference cause us anguish

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should death overwhelm us

Open us to hope, O Lord

This beautiful prayer was used in a service presided over by Pope Francis during the COVID-19 epidemic and is made available from:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/litany-supplication-urbi-et-orbi-pope-francis.html

The following Prayer was prayed by Pope Francis on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph

Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation.

Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so that they might know — like you do — how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility.

Grant intelligence of knowledge to those seeking adequate means for the health and physical well-being of their brothers and sisters.

Sustain those who are spending themselves for those in need, even at the cost of their own safety: volunteers, nurses, doctors who are on the front lines in curing the sick.

Bless, O St Joseph, the Church: beginning with her ministers, make her the sign and instrument of your light and your goodness.

Accompany, O St Joseph, our families: with your prayerful silence, create harmony between parents and their children, in a special way with the youngest.

Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one might be left in desperation from abandonment and discouragement.

Comfort those who are the most frail, encourage those who falter, intercede for the poor.

With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world from every form of pandemic.

Amen.

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