May remains Mother Mary's month

Believe it or not dear friends, May is nearly here. April 2020 will forever be lodged in my mind as a very strange month in my journey of life. Despite a world in retreat (wise people have intentionally used this time to go on retreat), May remains, as much as ever, the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

While I urge everyone whenever possible to pray the Rosary daily, it is with even more urgency I ask you to pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary this particular May. I am posting this today because I figured if I was urging both of my readers to pray the Rosary daily during May, I shouldn't wait until 1 May to do so.

I have what I have come to call before our Blessed Mother "the COVID intercessions." These are for a quick end to the spread of sars-cov-2, the speedy and full recovery of all who are ill with COVID-19, the protection of healthcare and essential words from the virus, for wise, prudent, and collaborative decisions by local, national, and world leaders in the service of the common good concerning the virus, for wise advice from public health officials, and for the repose of the souls who have died during this pandemic. Quite a list, I know. I am confident Our Lady can handle them and effectively intercede.

In a letter addressed to all the faithful, dated 25 April, Pope Francis urged us all to pray the Rosary during May more and more fervently. "Contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary, our mother," he insisted, "will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial." It's easy to overlook the teaching of the Holy Father in these matters. When it comes to praying the Rosary, either by one's self, with your family, or another group, the Pope tells us in his short letter- "The key to doing this is always simplicity."

At the end of his letter, Pope Francis gave two prayers that we can recite at the end of the Rosary:

First Prayer

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.

We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Second Prayer

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Prayers and blessings to you as you make your way through this difficult time.