Guidelines from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales
The Catholic Church around the World is gathering together a range of different resources to help the Faithful through the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have produced the following guidelines to help Parishes organise their activities at this time: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/
Below you will find some resources specifically for this time of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus.
Guide to Self-Isolating for Dummies
“How often have you toyed with the idea of becoming a hermit for a few days or dwelt lovingly on the thought that if everybody would just go away for a while and leave you in peace, everything would be perfect? Anyone who has ever tried the experiment knows we carry our demons within, and whether the desert we escaped to was real or imaginary, the one person we cannot flee is ourself.
But what if you are now faced with ‘self-isolating’ or being quarantined for a fortnight along with others? Not so much being alone with the Alone as alone with a crowd — especially if the crowd is your nearest and dearest, your family? How will you fare? How will you even survive without committing murder? Time to call in the experts!”
This is the start to an uplifting, practical and entertaining blog post by a Benedictine nun who may have one or two tricks up her sleve to help us in this time of isolation.
How to make an Act of Spiritual Communion
COME AT LEAST SPIRITUALLY INTO MY HEART
Spiritual Communion was defined by St Thomas Aquinas as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him”. In the present context of not being able to receive the Eucharist due to the limitations placed on us by the Coronavirus outbreak it means not receiving the Blessed Sacrament physically.
The following prayer might be useful in making a spiritual communion:
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”
Of course, this prayer can be said at any time of the day or night but some people might prefer to say it at the time during which they might normally be attending Mass.
Prayer Resources during this difficult time
God our Father, Creator of the world, almighty and merciful, out of love for us
You sent your Son into the world as the doctor of our souls and our bodies,
look upon your children who, in this difficult time of confusion and dismay across world, turn to you seeking strength, salvation and relief, deliver us from illness and fear, heal our sick, comfort their families, give wisdom to our rulers, energy and reward to our doctors, nurses and volunteers, eternal life to the dead. Do not abandon us in the moment of trial but deliver us from all evil.
We ask this of Thee, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Mary, Mother of health and holy hope, pray for us!
A Prayer for Healing and Hope
Most Merciful and Triune God,
We come to You in our weakness.
We come to You in our fear.
We come to You with trust.
For You alone are our hope.
We place before You the disease present in our world.
We turn to You in our time of need.
Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Stabilise our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in Your care.
(mention your particular concerns and prayers now)
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Amen.
Intercessions
Let us pray for those who are suffering in the current outbreak of sickness, and for the happy repose of all who have died from this sickness in recent weeks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us pray for parishioners who are anxious and fearful and isolated: that through prayer and action we will respond to their needs with the compassion of the Divine Physician. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us pray for scientists, healthcare professionals, public officials, and all who are serving the common good in this difficult and uncertain time, that they will be filled with wisdom and understanding. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us pray that in times of illness our merciful and loving Father will strengthen our faith and trust in his goodness and divine providence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Novena Prayer to our Mother for an end to the Coronavirus Pandemic
O Mary, full of grace, Mother of the Church, in this time of illness and worldwide need we seek your intercession for the human family before your Son’s throne of grace and mercy. We ask for strength in adversity, health in weakness, and comfort in sorrow. Help us, O Blessed Mother, to be filled with confidence and trust in the tender compassion of our God. Let us not be afraid. Continue to watch over all who are sick, as well as those who care for them, and give wisdom to all who are seeking a cure. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.