It is difficult to make sense of what is happening
in our world suffering from the virus.
We might be tempted to feel abandoned.
But give us the confidence, Lord,
that out of all this can come a deeper knowing
of your love and care for us.
Yes, we are vulnerable but may that vulnerability
open us to a deeper sense of your presence in our lives.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
I thank you from my heart
for the health and safety of my children.
It feels so good to see them full of life and happiness.
They are so precious to me and I want them to be safe and well.
We are now keeping ‘social distance’ from other people
to protect our own health and the health of the whole community.
I know I cannot expect them to accept this sudden change in our lives.
They are getting impatient with the extra restrictions.
And I am growing impatient with them.
Give me the wisdom I need to bear with them,
when they say they are bored and I think they are selfish.
And when they act up help me remember they too are fearful.
Help us all be reassured by your presence among us.
Amen.
— Columban Fr. John Burger, U.S. Regional Director
Lord, during this time of anxiety and distress
our patience can run thin.
Yet deep within us we know
that we can place our trust in you.
You provide us with the strength we need.
You do not burden us with any force
that we cannot overcome.
Sustain us Lord with your overwhelming kindness.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord you are my light and my salvation.
Whom or what should we fear?
As we hear in Paul’s letter to the Romans,
nothing that exists not any power nor any created thing
can come between us and the love of God
made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
At this time of distress and anxiety,
help us, Lord, to trust that your love overcomes all.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
We have many problems and difficulties
that make us fearful at this time.
Lord, help us to have trust in your loving presence.
With that confidence no evil force can overcome us.
We remember the words in the psalm,
“Taste and see how good the Lord is,
Happy the one who takes refuge in him.”
Lord you are our refuge and our strength.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord, this year we may not have been able
to celebrate your Resurrection as we would have wanted.
But we are reminded that your Resurrection
came after much suffering.
Help us to accept our anxiety and suffering
during the time of this virus so that we might
be prepared to accept the transforming power
of your resurrection in our lives.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
“This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad.”
Sometimes it is difficult to pray that wonderful prayer.
That may be true for many of us during this time
of isolation and fear of the virus.
Yet I know, Lord, that you have a special purpose for me today.
Give me the peaceful confidence
that everything works together for my good.
Despite problems today, is a gift that I can share in some way.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord we remember that after the Resurrection
your disciples spent time isolated in the upper room.
They felt the loss of your presence.
They were afraid of what they could not control.
Sometimes we feel like that because of the virus
and its social distancing.
For many of us it is a time of loneliness.
Help us to have the confidence
that you are with us during this time of trial.
Lord you are our strength.
Renew your spirit among us.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord sometimes when we are frustrated or angry
we can be unkind to those we love the most.
This can be especially true during this time of stress
and anxiety brought on by the corona virus.
So we call upon your name to help us
to control our own anxiety.
Help us to be patient with those close to us
who are feeling pain in some way at this time.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord you are kind and merciful.
You forgive us.
You are always available to welcome us back
after we have failed.
It is not easy sometimes to offer kindness or mercy
or to forgive others when we have been offended.
It is particularly difficult when we are under stress
as so many are now with the coronavirus.
Lord guide us to share that same spirit of kindness
and mercy that you have shared with us.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord show me how to be strong and patient
in this time of difficulty.
We have been challenged to live separated
from our loved ones.
We are asked to sacrifice our freedom
to move around as we might like.
We remember that in your time of trial
you were separated from your loved ones.
But you showed what it means to love
during a time of trial.
Help us to accept this time of separation
that we might come closer to our loved ones.
May we love as you loved on your lonely way to Calvary.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Lord in our present suffering from the coronavirus we call to you.
You have delivered us from our fears in the past.
Please hear us in this special time of anxiety.
But we are confident that even in this time you are watching over us.
Please give your consolation to all of us
but especially those suffering from the present uncertainty.
Give us confidence in your saving presence.
Amen.
– By a Columban Missionary
Dear Mother Mary, with this virus going around
I ask you to pray to Jesus for my grandchildren.
How I would love to make the world safe for them.
But deep down I know that is impossible and yet I wish I could.
Nonetheless, I pray that I may be able to pass on to them
the gift of faith and a heart with the impulse to pray.
Then, in whatever dangerous situation they find themselves,
whether it be sickness or violence or famine,
they will believe in you and turn to you.
Amen.
— Columban Fr. John Burger, U.S. Regional Director
St. Columban of Mt. Leinster, Bangor, Luxeuil, Bregenz and Bobbio,
your name rings out across the world.
Come to our aid and rise up to help us in our need.
As pilgrims on the journey, we ask you to keep us safe
from the coronavirus that knows no borders.
Heal those who suffer; protect those who are exposed and vulnerable;
enlighten all who respond; guide those who govern;
calm our fears; give us a new vision of Life;
and intercede for us before God the Most High
to stop the spread of this virus that we may continue
to work together for a new civilization of love for all.
— By a Columban Missionary