WITH the occurrence of rains still elusive, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged the people to storm heaven with prayers.
The 65-year-prelate yesterday issued an oratio imperata or a mandatory prayer which will be used in all Masses in the archdiocese.
The special prayer for rain will be said after communion as the entire congregation kneels.
Palma also urged the faithful to ask God to “open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it.”
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) predicted that the rainy season this year would be delayed and that temperatures could still climb higher as the El Niño phenomenon continues to persist.
The last time Palma issued an oratio imperata was in December 2014, as typhoon Ruby was barreling towards the Visayas.
An oratio imperata is a Catholic tradition where the bishop leads the community in prayer for a special intention.
In previous years, it was used in Cebu to seek divine protection for peaceful elections and peace in the Middle East, safety from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bird flu virus, dengue, the influenza A (H1N1) virus as well as the success of the 2007 ASEAN Summit hosted in Cebu.
Last Monday, the Cebu Provincial Board placed the entire province of Cebu under a state of calamity due to declining water supply caused by the dry spell which is expected to last until January next year.
ORATIO IMPERATA FOR RAIN
God our loving Father, creator of our earth and of the universe, and all the wondrous elements of nature that sustain your living creatures, we humbly ask you to send us the rain that our country needs so badly at this time, to irrigate our fields, to stave off a power shortage, to provide water for our bodily health, and to refresh our parched lands.
At your command the wind and the seas obey, raise your hand Almighty God to commence the normal rainy season that has now been long delayed so that crisis may be averted.
Merciful and generous God, open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it. Teach us to be wise stewards of your creation so that we may always use them responsibly and protect them from abuse and exploitation. At this time of crisis, dear Lord, move us to share more, to serve more, and to love more.
Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers that we bring up to her, our Blessed Mother, to intercede for us, for the protection of our land and our people, whom she loves.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
Saint Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.