Imperata ad Petendam Pluviam; INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR RAIN

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS/SHRINE RECTORS/CHAPLAINS AND SCHOOL DIRECTORS IN
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: ORATIO IMPERATA/INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR RAIN

Dear Brother-Priests,

People tasked with managing our water and power resources have warned us that we are experiencing drought and water shortage because of the El Niño phenomenon. Our relief will come from nature. And so we implore the Master of all creation, God, our Father, at whose command the winds and the seas obey, to send us rain and ease the drought.

Below are the intentions to be included into the Prayers of the Faithful of our daily and Sunday Masses:

a] Lord, hasten to send the rain we badly need so the damage to crops and other livelihood and impending power shortage may be averted, we pray…

b] Lord, inspire us in this time of crisis to share in the name of Jesus what we have and to take responsibility for one another and for the environment and resources that you have generously provided us, we pray...

Beginning February 28, 2010, the Second Sunday of Lent, let us start praying the Oratio Imperata ad Petendam Pluviam at all our Masses, after Communion before the Post Communion Prayer:

"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 send us rain so that this 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 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 Rose of Lima, pray for us.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us."

Let us together storm heavens with our supplication, that God's mercy be upon us and send us the rain we need.

Thank you and God Bless!

Sincerely yours,
+ GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila