CLIFTON In a letter sent March 12, 2020 by Bishop Serratelli to all priests in the Diocese, he mandated that a prayer composed by Pope Francis seeking the intercession of the Blessed Mother be read at every Mass celebrated in the Diocese at a time when the threat of the coronavirus is spreading.
“In a time when we face situations beyond our control, it is good to remember the importance of prayer. We may not be in control of the world but God is.,” the Bishop wrote.
“Our Holy Father Pope Francis has composed a prayer….that seeks the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother during this time of the coronavirus.
“I am mandating that the prayer be said at every Mass in the Diocese of Paterson until further notice.“This is not a time for us to increase our people's fear, but to support them and have them turn to God with confidence", he wrote in the letter.
“O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You…know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of those of us who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.”
Oh María,
tu resplandeces siempre en nuestro camino
como signo de salvación y de esperanza
Confiamos en ti, Salud de los enfermos,
que junto a la cruz
te asociaste al dolor de Jesús,
manteniendo firme tu fe
Tú…sabes lo que necesitamos
y estamos seguros de que proveerás
para que, como en Caná de Galilea
pueda volver la alegría y la fiesta
después de este momento de prueba
Ayúdanos, Madre del Divino Amor,
a conformarnos a la voluntad del Padre
y hacer lo que nos diga Jesús
que ha tomado sobre sí nuestros sufrimientos
y se ha cargado con nuestros dolores
para llevarnos, a través de la cruz
a la alegría de la resurrección. Amén.
Bajo tu amparo nos acogemos,
santa Madre de Dios;
no deseches las oraciones
que te dirigimos
en nuestras necesidades,
antes bien
líbranos de todo peligro,
¡oh Virgen gloriosa y bendita!
¡Amén!