MALOLOS CITY—No rains or heavy rains, the Catholic Church turn to special prayers invoking God’s assistance in times of needs.
Rev. Fr. Prospero Tenorio of the St. Anthony parish in Hagonoy town said Church is prepared for any occasion, even in times of heavy rainfall that threaten lives and properties.
“We have set of special prayers for special needs in our liturgy,” Tenorio said on Tuesday night.
For heavy rains like what hit Central Luzon and Metro Manila since Monday, the prayer goes like this, “Ama naming makapangyarihan, Ikaw ang sinusunod ng buong kalikasan kaya’t nagmamakaawang Iyong pagbigyan na humupa ang ang masungit na panahong aming pinangangambahan at ang aming takot sa parusa ay mapalitan ng papuri sa Iyong Ngalan sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo kasama ng Espiritu Santo magpawalang hanggan, Amen.”
Tenorio explained that the above prayer is normally said during Masses to invoke God’s assistance. The said prayer is included in the liturgy book of the Diocese of Malolos.
In the past, when the El Nino phenomenon hit the country, the Church prayed the Oratio Imperata, the most recent was in 2007 when the country experienced a long dry spell.
Days after the Oratio Imperata was said, heavy rains came which flooded some areas in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, Bulakenyos also turned to prayers at the height of heavy monsoon rains on Tuesday.
Some, like Olivia Raymundo used her cellular phone in texting a brief prayer in English.
The prayer which is similar to the Church’s liturgical prayer went: “Almighty and loving Father, creator of the universe, we fervently ask Your divine and infinite mercy to take control of the rain and typhoon.
We put our trust in Your power, we implore you to embrace our country. Calm the weather as you did with your disciple in the middle of the seas. In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.”
Raymundo said that she only receive the same prayer and decided to pass it on to remind her friends to turn to God.
She explained that the situation experienced by the country is clearly out of control of local officials.
However, she believes that God is still in control.
