CBCP head orders ‘Oratio Imperata’ for peace starting March 1

Amid the threat of war and terror due to recent events such as the Jan. 25 Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash, the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Monday sought mandatory prayers (Oratio Imperata) for peace in Mindanao starting March 1.

 

CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said this is the Church's best contribution to the present situation.

 

"The situation of the country and the world right now calls on all of us to turn to the Lord in humble supplication and gather our people to pray. As the nation continues to grieve over the tragedy in Mamasapano and the family of nations is threatened by war and terror from extremist groups, our best contribution to the nation and to the world is to encourage people to pray," he said in a statement posted on his social media account.

 

He proposed that Philippine bishops encourage people to pray the following Oratio Imperata for Peace from March 1 to 28, before the post-communion prayer in every Mass:

 

The prayer is as follows:

 

Lord of Peace, we come to You in our need.

Create in us an awareness of the massive forces of violence and terrorism that threaten our world today.

Grant us a sense of urgency to activate the forces of goodness, of justice, of love and of peace in our communities.

Where there is armed conflict, let us stretch out our arms to our brothers and sisters.

Where there is abundance and luxury, let there be simple lifestyle and sharing.

Where there is poverty and misery, let there be dignified living and constant striving for just structures.

Where there is selfish ambition, let there be humble service.

Where there is injustice, let there be humble atonement.

Where there is despair, let there be hope in the Good News.

Where there are wounds of division, let there be unity and wholeness.

Where there are lies and deceit, let your Truth set us all of us free.

Where there are thoughts of vengeance, let there be healing and forgiveness.

Help us to be committed to the Gospel of peace.

In spite of our differences in faith traditions and ethnic roots, teach us Your spirit of mercy and compassion.

For it is only in loving imitation of you, Lord of Peace,

that we can discover the healing springs of life that will bring about new birth to our earth a new era of peace and a new harmony among all

Forever and ever. Amen.

 

"Hopefully this prayer can calm the anxieties of our long suffering people and touch the hearts of the enemies of peace," Villegas said.

 

Villegas said the authority to declare an Oratio Imperata for the dioceses is the sole prerogative of the Local Ordinaries. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News