Fr. Cassians prayer of the faithful The prayer below was written by our Fr. Cassian. We used it during the prayer of the faithful this morning. O God, our refuge in trials, our strength in sickness, our comfort in sorrow, spare your people, we pray, that, though rightly chastised now by affliction, they may find relief at last through your loving mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Facing difficult challenges, we are in need of prayer. Like ripples radiating from a stone thrown into a lake, so do our concerns radiate from a new virus, COVID-19. Certainly at this time we are called to intercede for the sick, for the dying and for those who have died from illnesses caused by this virus. We must pray for all medical personnel who are on the front lines of diagnosing and treating those affected by this virus; as well as medical researchers who are seeking a vaccine and better methods to treat pneumonia and respiratory failure, offering clear and accessible information about their research. We pray that all news media are able to present relevant news responsibly; that food providers, distributors, grocery stores, are able to see all are able to satisfy basic needs. We pray that national governments throughout the world can work together to help control the spread of COVID-19. We pray for ourselves, for our families, our friends, our neighbors, that they may be kept healthy, safe, resilient; and that we all free of anxiety and fear. During this week of retreat, Sr. Anne Elizabeth has reminded us of many things that can help at this time: We face not only a battle against a new coronavirus, we must also be armed for spiritual combat, to resist the devilish voices urging us to be anxious, to be afraid, to forget our neighbors and the common good. We need stand on the ground of our faith that, as the Word humbled himself to share in our humanity, so we, with all creation, are being drawn toward “the mystery of the recapitulation, the summing up of all in Christ.” We can turn to Mary, the Mother of God and our mother, who felt the sword of suffering throughout her life and who is therefore a great consoler for all who suffer; – we can call on Our Lady of Perpetual Help, appealing to the star of the sea in the words of St. Bernard: “O you, whoever you are, who feel that in the tidal wave of this world you are nearer to being tossed about among the squalls and gales than treading on dry land, if you do not want to founder in the tempest, do not avert your eyes from the brightness of this star.”—Fr. Cassian OCSO
