The Bishops of the United States are urging the faithful to seek the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary in these times of trial and social upheaval. In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, has composed a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
He says the difficult situation facing the world has reminded us that we are all brothers and sisters. As “one family under God”, we turn to our Mother for protection and delivery from the threat of the Covid-19 virus.
Here is Archbishop Gomez’s prayer:
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas,
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate Mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen. Vatican News
