Filipinos urged to recite Oratio Imperata for deliverance from calamities

MANILA -- As Metro Manila and nearby provinces reel from the ill effects of the monsoon rains over the past three days, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle issued Thursday Oratio Imperata for deliverance from calamities.

In a circular issued by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, the Manila prelate said he is directing all clergy, faithful and religious in all churches in the Archdiocese of Manila to recite the mandatory prayer for good weather.

"The Archbishop of Manila requests that we pray kneeling down the following Oratio Imperata in our Masses (after the Post Communion Prayer), Holy Hours, celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours and the praying of the rosary," said Tagle.

An Oratio Imperata is a mandatory prayer for a special intention usually issued by the Pope or the bishop of a diocese.

The full text of the Manila 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.

“Typhoons, heavy rains and floods 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.

Similarly, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urges the Filipino faithful to join hands and recite the Oratio Imperata.

"There is a need for prayer considering the damage the continuous rains brought to various parts of the country," CBCP secretary general Msgr. Joselito Asis told the official news agency of the CBCP.

For the past three days, heavy rains brought by a southwest monsoon in Luzon have spawned massive flooding in Metro Manila as well as in 20 provinces in Luzon.

As of the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the death toll in the country has risen to 19 with three others missing while a total of 454,093 families or 1,953,481 persons were affected with 61,895 families or 292,809 persons needing to be evacuated.

Lawmakers and private organizations, including the CBCP, have already issued their respective calls for more funds and assistance for the victims. (HDT/Sunnex)