let's pray harder

Legazpi bishop asks Filipinos to say powerful prayer
By Joanna Los Baños
Inquirer Southern Luzon

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—-As typhoon “Pepeng” intensified and moved toward Northern Luzon, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Legazpi encouraged Filipinos to pray the “Oratio Imperata for Deliverance From Calamities,” which he said was a powerful prayer that spared Albay from disaster after Supertyphoon “Reming” struck almost three years ago.

The prayer has been recited since October 2007 in all the churches in the archdiocese during Mass.

“Many have already asked for a copy of the prayer and it has already reached the United States,” Auxiliary Bishop Lucilo Quiambao said.

He asked that the prayer be recited in the parishes, homes and communities.

Albay has not been affected by major typhoons and calamities for the past three years and the bishop believed one reason the power of prayers.

In November 2007, authorities predicted that the province would be hit by typhoon “Mina.” However, it changed direction and most Albayanos were convinced it was a “miracle.”

The bishop also appealed to Bicolanos to help the victims of typhoon “Ondoy.”

In a circular, Quiambao said schools and communities may bring their donations to the Social Action Center in the city or to the Annual Diocesan Marian Youth Pilgrimage Rally in Barangay Baño on Saturday (Oct. 3).

“We have been recipients of so much generosity and love from people all over the world after typhoons Milenyo and Reming devastated our place, it is but proper and fitting that we return the favor now that we are given the opportunity to heed Christ's teaching to help our neighbors in need,” Quiambao said.

The Oratio:

“Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

“We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

“We have not been good stewards of Nature.

“We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

“The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

“Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

“We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

“We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

“We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.

“Amen.”