Dear Mountain Family,
Our Minister Provincial, Kevin Mullen, ofm, and the rest of our friars’ Franciscan administration has designated Tuesday, May 19, as a day of prayer “for all who are living in the shadow of COVID-19.” We will pray for the caregivers, all who are ill from the virus, all who have died from the virus, all who are more threatened by the virus due to poverty or lack of health insurance, and an end of this pandemic and the recovery and renewal of our lives.
Below you will find a prayer service that was sent to us by our Provincial Administration. We welcome you to pray with us and all of our friars and postulants, and partners in ministry on this day of prayer Tuesday, May 19, at 5 p.m. (Eastern Time). We’ll be praying at this time at the Mountain amongst ourselves; we invite you to also pray in your own homes with your family.
We have been praying with you, for you and your intentions daily, particularly those you had asked us to remember through this time of the pandemic.
Through this time, as the inequities of our society have become more apparent, may we receive the grace given us in difficult times to come together for the long-term welfare of all others.
Peace, good and much affection,
Joseph Kotula, ofm
Kevin Kriso, ofm
Louis McCormick, ofm
Daniel Riley, ofm
Evening Prayer in Time of Pandemic
God, come to our assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory …
Hymn
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.
Psalm 46
Antiphon 1: The Lord of hosts is with us. Alleluia.
God is for us a refuge and strength,
a helper close at hand, in time of distress,
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,
though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea;
even though its waters rage and foam,
even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
The waters of the river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken;
God will help it at the dawning day.
Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken;
God lifts his voice, the earth shrinks away.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come, consider the works of the Lord,
the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.
He puts an end to wars over all the earth;
the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps.
Be still and know that I am God,
supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Glory …
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
Antiphon 2: Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Alleluia.
We bind ourselves today, marveling in the beauty of creation;
the radiant light of the sun, the splendor and warmth of fire,
the persistence of life, the flash of lightning, the boom of thunder,
the liveliness of the wind, the depth of the sea,
the perseverance of the earth, the foundational reliability of the rock.
We bind ourselves today, asking for divine potential to inspire us;
for God’s strength to lift us up, for God’s wisdom to guide us,
for God’s eye to provide a vision, for God’s ear to augment our own,
for God’s word to speak for us, for God’s love to guard us.
We summon today God’s power between us and adversity,
against every cruel merciless power that opposes body and soul,
against every knowledge that devalues a person’s body and soul.
Christ be with us,/ Christ within us,/ Christ behind us./
Christ before us,/ Christ beside us,/ Christ within us.
Christ to comfort and restore us./
Christ beneath us,/ Christ above us.
Christ is quiet,/ Christ in danger,/ Christ in hearts of all that love us,/
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
(all)
We bind ourselves today, through a power beyond our own,
an expression of the Trinity, through a belief in holy mystery,
through acceptance of a profound unity,
experienced in the whole of creation. Amen.
The First Reading
The Earlier Rule, 10:1-3
If any of the brothers fall sick, wherever he may be, let the other brothers not leave him behind unless one of the brothers, or even several of them, if necessary, is designated to serve him as “they would want to be served themselves.” In case of the greatest need, however, they can entrust him to someone who should do what needs to be done for his sickness. I beg the sick brother to thank God for everything and to desire to be whatever the Lord wills, whether sick or well.
The Second Reading
Matthew 9:35-38
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
The Canticle of Mary
The Intercessions
For all who have contracted coronavirus:
- We pray for care and healing.
For those who are particularly vulnerable:
- We pray for safety and protection.
For all who experience fear and anxiety:
- We pray for peace of mind and spirit.
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety:
- We pray for policies that recognize their plight.
For those who do not have adequate health insurance:
- We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone.
For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status:
- We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all.
For our brothers and sisters around the world:
- We pray for shared solidarity.
For public officials and decision makers:
- We pray for wisdom and guidance.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Closing Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger,
to whom we turn in our distress; in faith, we pray.
Look with compassion on the afflicted,
grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners,
healing to the sick, peace to the dying,
strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders,
and the courage to reach out to all in love,
so that together we may give glory to your holy name.
Grant this through Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
The Lord bless us, + deliver us from evil, and bring us to eternal life.
- Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
- And give God thanks. Alleluia, alleluia
As is our custom at the Mountain, we invite your petitions and prayer requests. Submit yours online and pray for the intentions from our Mountain family.