One in prayer. Pope Francis greets Bishop Ruperto Santos in a meeting at the Vatican. File photo from the Diocese of Balanga
BALANGA CITY — The Department of Health has reported as of April 5, that there were 152 fatalities of the coronavirus disease in the country.
Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos on Sunday asked everyone not to forget those who perished and to let their memories remain in each heart forever.
“We remember not how they died but how they live their lives of services and sacrifices. They return to the Father, home with Him in Heaven,” the head of the Diocese of Balanga said.
Santos is also Episcopal Coordinator for Asia of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy.
He composed a special prayer for those who died of the pandemic which will be recited every Friday. “We remember specially city administrator Rudy de Mesa whose 9th day we celebrated with Holy Mass,” Santos said.
De Mesa, 57, also former provincial administrator, died of Covid–19 on March 27, the first death from the virus in Bataan. After him, two more followed.
Here is the prayer:
“Merciful Father and loving God, we lift up to You today our path of faith that is tested with difficulty, stress, and pain. We know our time is in Your hands and You have a purpose and plan for each other and every one of us.
We humbly come to Your throne and commit the souls of the people who have perished because of Covid–19, both the patients and the frontline health care workers who died saving the sick. We entrust their eternal destiny to You, O Lord!
May they experience the fullness of peace and joy in Your presence.
We pray that You comfort their families and loved ones. Help them deal with their immense grief. Assure them of the abiding hope in Christ that endures beyond their deepest sorrows.
May we, too, live in the light of the truth that our only assurance is from You Almighty God. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
Eternal rest grant them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!”
