The Rituale Romanum, or Roman Ritual, was first promulgated by Pope Paul V in 1614, and contains all services a priest or deacon of the Roman Rite can perform not already covered by the Breviary or Missal.
Chapter 12 of the Roman Ritual features the Rites for Processions, one rite of which is the highly topical and salient “procession in time of epidemic and plague” given the current global coronavirus pandemic.
From this rite the official “prayer in times of epidemic” was developed. If you’re feeling helpless, and maybe even a bit hopeless, in the face of coronavirus, you should employ the most powerful tool in a Catholic’s arsenal against the pandemic: prayer.
Pray below, in both Latin and English.
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| ℣. Dómine, non secúdum peccáta nostre facias nobis. | ℣. Deal not with us, Lord, according to our sins. |
| ℟. Neque secúndum iniquittátes nostras retribuas nobis. | ℟. And take not vengeance on us because of our misdeeds. |
| ℣. Adjuva nos, Deus, salutáris noster. | ℣. Help us, O God, our Deliverer. |
| ℟. Et propter glóriam nóminis tui, Dómine, libera nos. | ℟. And for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, free us. |
| ℣. Dómine, ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquárum. | ℣. Remember not, O Lord, our sins of old. |
| ℟. Cito anticipent nos misericórdiæ tuæ, quia páuperes facti sumus nimis. | ℟. Hasten to us with Thy compassion, for we are become exceeding poor. |
| ℣. Ora pro nobis, sancte Sebastiáne. | ℣ St. Sebastian, pray for us. |
| ℟. Ut digni efficiátmur promissiónibus Christi. | ℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. |
| ℣. Dómine, exaudi oratiónem meam. | ℣. O Lord, hear my prayer. |
| ℟. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. | ℟. And let my cry come unto thee. |
| ℣. Dominus vobiscum. | ℣. The Lord be with you. |
| ℟. Et cum spiritu tuo. | ℟. And with Thy spirit. |
| Orémus | Let us pray |
| Exáudi nos, Deus salutáris noster: et intercedénte beáta et gloriósa Dei genitrice Maria semper vergine, et beáto Sebastiáno mártyre tuo, et omnibus Sanctis, pópulum tuum ab iracundiæ tuæ terróribus libera, et misericórdiæ tuæ fac largitáte securum. | Vouchsafe to hear us, O God, our only salvation! And through the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, Mother of God and ever Virgin, of Thy blessed martyr, Sebastian and of all the saints, deliver Thy people from the terrors of Thy wrath, and restore their confidence by the outpouring of Thy compassion. |
| Propitiáre, Dónine, supplicatiónibus nostris: et animárum et córporum medére languóribus: ut remissióne percépta, in tua semper benedictióne lætémur. | Be moved to pity, O Lord, at our earnest entreaties, and heal the illnesses of body and soul; so that experiencing Thy forgiveness we may ever rejoice in Thy blessing. |
| Da nobis, quæsumus, Dómine, piæ petitiónis efféctum: et pestiléntiam mortalitatérmque propitiátus avérte; ut mortálium corda cognóscant, et te indignánte tália flagélla prodire, et te miserante cessáre. Per Dóminum. | We beseech thee, O Lord, grant us a hearing as we devoutly raise our petitions to Thee, and graciously turn away the epidemic of plague which afflicts us; so that mortal hearts may recognize that these scourges proceed from Thine indignation and cease only when Thou art moved to mercy. Through our Lord. |
| Amen. | Amen. |
| Ultimo benedicit cum Refiquia S. Crucis, dicens: | The priest then blesses people with a relic of the True Cross, saying: |
| Benedictio Dei omnipoténtis, Patris, et Filii, ✞ et Spiritus Sancti, descéndat super vos, máneat semper. | And may the blessing of Almighty God, Father, ✞ Son and Holy Ghost descend upon you and remain forever. |
| ℟. Amen | ℟. Amen |
Editorial credit: Daniele COSSU / Shutterstock.com
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Thank you , for this Official Prayer for “Times of Epidemics” God Bless you . In jesus Name amen.