Manila’s Roman Catholic Church has issued a special prayer for the healing of those suffering from dengue and leptospirosis as the death toll from the diseases reached over 900.
The “oratio imperata” was released on Friday because of the “alarming” number of those afflicted by the diseases in the country.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is requesting the faithful “to pray for the healing of those who are sick and for the protection of everyone from these and other illness”.
The prayer is to be recited kneeling after the post-communion prayer at all Masses in the archdiocese starting Sunday, Sept. 1.
The health department has earlier declared a “national dengue epidemic” after the mosquito-borne disease had claimed more than 800 lives so far this year.
The agency reported that dengue cases in the country have also reached more than 208,000 from January 1 to August 10.
Hospitals, particularly in Manila, are also bracing for a surge of patients because of disease-carrying floods.
Based on the latest data, the agency has recorded about 981 leptospirosis cases all over the country, with 113 deaths.
The figure, however, is lower than the 2,618 cases of leptospirosis with 256 deaths reported in the same period in 2018.
Below is the copy of the special prayer in English and Filipino languages:
ORATIO IMPERATA FOR DENGUE FEVER AND LEPTOSPIROSIS
Almighty and loving Father, we thank you for the life that is your gift, for the providence that sustains us, and for your wisdom that directs the course of our days.
Forgive our sins against your love, against each other, and against your creation. Make us responsible stewards of your creation.
The plague of dengue fever and leptospirosis are upon us today. These diseases have caused much suffering and have claimed many lives. We humbly beg You, loving Father, to deliver us from these and other diseases. Heal those who are afflicted. Strengthen us in charity to care for each other.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us. St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. San Roque, pray for us. San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. San Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
ORATIO IMPERATA PARA SA DENGUE FEVER AT LEPTOSPIROSIS
Makapangyarihan at mapagmahal na Ama, nagpapasalamat kami sa handog mong buhay, sa pagkalinga mong nagpapanatili sa amin, at sa karunungan mong gumagabay sa takbo ng aming buhay.
Patawarin mo ang aming mga kasalanan sa iyong pag-ibig, sa aming kapwa, at sa kalikasan. Gawin mo kaming mabuting katiwala ng iyong mga nilikha.
Sumasaamin ngayon ang salot ng dengue fever at leptospirosis na nagpapahirap sa marami at kumitil ng maraming buhay. Nagmamakaawa kami, mapagmahal na Ama. Iligtas mo kami sa mga ito at sa lahat ng uri ng karamdaman. Pagalingin mo ang mga maysakit. At buhayin mo sa amin ang pagkakawanggawa upang kalingain namin ang bawat isa.
Hinihiling namin ito sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristong Anak mo na nabubuhay at naghaharing kasama mo at ng Espiritu Santo iisang Diyos, magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.
Mahal na Birhen, mapagpagaling sa may sakit, ipanalangin mo kami. San Rafael Arkanghel, ipanalangin mo kami. San Roque, ipanalangin mo kami. San Lorenzo Ruiz, ipanalangin mo kami. San Pedro Calungsod, ipanalangin mo kami.
