Pinoys urged to recite Oratio Imperata for deliverance from calamities

As heavy rain continued to pummel Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the Catholic Church on Wednesday urged Filipinos to pray for Divine Providence to end the calamity.

 

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) secretary Msgr. Joselito Asis encouraged Catholics to recite in  churches the “Oratio Imperata for deliverance from calamities.” 

 

"The prayer was first said in the Diocese of Legazpi in 2009 after the province of Albay was severely damaged by a series of super typhoons," the CBCP said on its website.

 

The CBCP quoted Asis as saying there was a need for prayer because of the damage that continuous heavy rains have brought.

 

Days of heavy rain had caused at least 16 deaths, and forced the suspension of work and classes in many affected areas.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said more than 1.2 million have been affected by the destruction brought by the rain.

 

In the Oratio, the faithful ask for forgiveness for not taking good care of the environment, and that phenomena like global warming, floods and other natural calamities are the consequences.

 

The full text of the Oratio reads:

 

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

We have not been good stewards of Nature.

We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need. Amen.

 

- VVP, GMA News