Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Issues Oratio Imperata, Special Prayer For Rain

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday released a special prayer for rain as some areas in the country continue to experience dry spell brought about by the El Niño.

The Oratio Imperata” for rain was released by Fr. Marvin Mejia, CBCP Secretary General for consideration of the dioceses as only bishops can order such in their respective pastoral jurisdictions

“The suggestion is due to the prolonged drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon that has ravaged many parts of our country, particularly Mindanao,” he said in a statement.

Oratio Imperata is an “ordered prayer” for a special intention, as defined by the Catholic Church.

The “Prayer For Rain” was released in two languages: English and Cebuano.

The English version reads: Most Gracious and Most Merciful God, Creator, Source and Giver of all things,Most powerful in heaven and on earth,We give You honor and glory.We thank You

For our home – the earth; For our light – the sun, moon and stars;For our solace – our family and friends, our community, our neighbors.

United as Your children, we come to You, pleading,Shower us with rain, provide us with water that we need.Father, Your children are begging to survive,

Hear us, we desire to live.

Prolonged drought is depriving us of the fruits of our toil;

Low water supply means hunger and thirst for most of us;El Niño continues to threaten our relationship with one another.

O Lord, this is a very hostile phenomenon that we beg for You to end.

At this time of looming catastrophe, dear Lord, dwell in our hearts.

Teach us to be more generous; bring out the best in us;Turn our eyes and ears toward the needs of others, especially the poor.

Move us to share more, care more, serve more and love more.

Holy God, You sanctify this earth to be our sacred abode.Grant us courage to take in hand the sufferings of the environment;

Grant us might to save and protect the beauty of nature.

Grant us wisdom to restore whatever we have destroyed.O Loving God, behold on us, Your beloved childrenFeel us, feel for us;

Let heaven cry and its tears be our blessed rain.

Have mercy on us Lord, have mercy.

We beg you,

Most Gracious and Merciful God,

Please, let it rain.Amen.(PNA) RMA/FGP