THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday asked Catholic prelates and priests to pray the Oratio Imperata for rain amid the continuing intense heat being experienced across the country.
“We are respectfully sending the text of the Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam prepared by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy (ECLit), for your consideration and use according to your pastoral discretion,” the CBCP said in a letter dated May 3.
An Oratio Imperata is a prayer for a special intention that the archbishop or bishop of an archdiocese or diocese may require to be said at Mass.
The prayer says:
“Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam God, our loving Father, Creator of our earth and of the universe and of all the wondrous elements of nature that sustain your living creatures, we humbly ask you to grant us relief from the extreme heat that besets your people at this time, disrupting their activities and threatening their lives and livelihood.
“Send us rain to replenish our depleting water sources, to irrigate our fields, to stave off water and power shortages and to provide water for our daily needs.
“At your command the wind and the seas obey.
“Raise your hand, Almighty God, to avert the continuing rise in temperatures so that your people can engage in productive undertakings and our young people can pursue learning in tranquility and comfort.
“Merciful and generous God, open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it.
“Teach us to be wise stewards of your creation so that we may always use them responsibly and protect them from abuse and exploitation.
“At this time of crisis, dear Lord, move us to share more, to serve more and to love more.
“Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers that we bring up to her, our Blessed Mother, to intercede for us, for the protection of our land and our people, whom she loves.
“Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.”
