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Cardinal Sin calls for prayers on SARS
Asks faithful to receive communion in
the hand, refrain from kissing statues
While the disease Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome continues
to claim lives in several countries and in the Philippines,
Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila, called on the
faithful to pray but also to observe protection in certain
religious practices.
In a circular released to all parishes, transparochial communities,
religious congregations and religious movements, Cardinal
Sin directed the praying of an “Oratio Imparata”
(Obligatory Prayer) asking the Lord to “protect us and
spare us who are faced with the danger of the mysterious sickness
of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.” The prayer also
asks for help for “those contaminated with (the) disease.”
Apart from the “Oratio Imparata”, a type of prayer
which originated in the early centuries of the Church, seeking
divine intervention in times of calamities and inexplicable
natural catastrophes, Cardinal Sin also asked the inclusion
of special prayers of intentions in all Masses, weekday and
Sunday.
He also asked the parishes under the patronage of San Roque,
patron in times of pestilence and the experience of incurable
illness to “make special prayers and penitential processions”
for protection against SARS.
Because of the “uncertainty of the disease”
the Cardinal recommended that communion in the hand be practiced
(instead of receiving it directly in the mouth) “to
help prevent further fear from people who are reasonably cautious
about this matter.”
Also, he asked that the practice of kissing statues used
for public venerations be discouraged.
Following is the complete text of his circular letter:
“In danger I called to the Lord; The Lord answered
me and set me free.”
(Ps. 118.5)
For months now, we have witnessed how the mysterious sickness
called “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has
developed, contaminated, and taken the lives of people. This
becomes even a great concern for us when just a couple of
days ago the signs of this mysterious sickness have taken
the lives of two Filipinos diagnosed to have contracted the
disease. The government has assured us of its best to control
the situation in these times of uncertainty, but even then,
until today, no remedy has been discovered to cast our fears
away about this disease.
It is in the light of faith that we offer you this letter.
It is also in faith that I exhort you to move together as
a Christian community, believing the promise of the Lord that
with great faith, we can move mountains. This surely is one
great mountain, an obstacle that we need to present to the
Lord, for until today, it is only in Him, the mighty healer,
the Lord of Life who can give us the strength and wisdom to
give solution to this mysterious sickness.
We are asking our parishes, transparochial communities, religious
congregations, religious movements, and families to consider
the following as this phenomenon looms over our people and
us.
1. This “Oratio Imparata” must be prayed in all
our daily and Sunday Masses. This is to be prayed after Communion.
Lord,
No one is a stranger to you
And no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your loving care, watch over us and
Protect us, and spare us who are faced
With the danger of the mysterious sickness of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Hear us as we ask your loving help
To those who have been contaminated
With this disease; restore their health
And help us to do what we can
To bring them comfort and consolation.
Hear us and bring to end this sickness in our midst.
Bring us all together in unity in faith
That we may always see your fatherly care
In each of us so that we can always put our trust in you
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
2. These intentions must be inserted in the intercessions/prayers
of the faithful in our weekday and Sunday Masses:
- For all peoples of the earth and our nation, that we may
all be spared from the dangers brought about by Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome. Let us pray to the Lord.
- That all who are infected by this mysterious illness may
be brought to healing and find comfort and consolation offered
by our Christian communities. Let us pray to the Lord.
- For all those who provide medical care for the SARS patients,
may they, in turn, receive from us, support and understanding
for the delicate task they must perform. Let us pray to
the Lord.
- For all those who have died because of this incurable
illness, that God may bring them to the joys of eternal
life. Let us pray to the Lord.
You may translate these intentions to Pilipino for Tagalog
Masses.
3. We exhort all parishes dedicate to St. Rock (Roche or
Roque) to make special prayers and penitential processions.
San Roque is the patron in times of pestilence and experience
of incurable illness. We invoke his powerful intercessions
to help us and the world to be spared from this mysterious
illness.
4. In this moment of uncertainty about this illness, we
highly recommend that communion in the hand be practiced ordinarily
to help prevent further fear from people who are reasonably
cautious about this matter.
5. Please discourage people from kissing statues, which are
used for public venerations.
We bring to Our Lady, the Health of the Sick, this concern
for we know she continuously prays for us and with us. May
her powerful intercession help us be spared from this sickness.
We should bring this intention to her as we pray daily the
Rosary in this Year of the Holy Rosary.
Devotedly in Christ,
(SGD) +JAIME L. CARDINAL SIN
Archbishop of Manila
26 April 2003
Easter Saturday
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