Urbi et Orbi Litany of Supplication: A short prayer, family style

[caption id="attachment_171103" align="aligncenter" width="1180"] Image: By Julius Silver (2017), Pexels.com, CC0/PD[/caption]

When all six us of us gathered around the TV for the Urbi Et Orbi blessing, we thought we were in for a 15-minute deal. The kids squirmed and fidgeted, trying hard to keep up the reverence, thinking the actual blessing was just around the corner. But Pope Francis was in no hurry. And neither was I – drawn to the solemnity of the event and moved to tears at gravity of our world’s state and yet overwhelmed at the generosity plenary indulgence.

As a mom of four holy (yet silly and normal kids), I long to bring that beautiful Urbi Et Orbi moment to my kids during this pandemic but … in small doses. How can we pray like that, like Pope Francis – united to the world, to our holy Father, to the sufferings around us and immersed in Christ himself? How can we remember that moment of forgiveness and recompense?

But shorter. Quicker.

Turns out the answer came from my parents. They too, were moved by the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, and because of that, my father, who recorded the event, listened again and again to annotate the Litany of Supplication. Tonight, after dinner, my family and I put off kitchen clean up and paused for 5 minutes to pray this prayer which was part of that momentous Friday. It was wonderful.

Your family too, can share in the prayer of the church along with the signs of the times. We printed this prayer and divided the paragraphs among our family members. The words are not too difficult and it hits many of the topics we are all concerned about but don’t know how to mention. Thanks, Dad!

Litany of Supplication

True God and true man, truly present in this holy Sacrament.

     We adore you, O Lord

Our Savior, God with us, faithful and rich in mercy

     We adore you, O Lord

King and Lord of creation and of history

     We adore you, O Lord

Conqueror of sin and death

     We adore you, O Lord

Friend of humankind, the Risen One, the Living One who sits at the right hand of the Father.

     We adore you, O Lord

We believe in you, O Lord

Only begotten Son of the Father, descended from heaven for our salvation

     We believe in you, O Lord

Heavenly physician, who bows down over our misery

     We believe in you, O Lord

Lamb who was slain, who offer yourself to rescue us from evil

     We believe in you, O Lord

Good Shepherd, who give your life for the flock which you love

     We believe in you, O Lord

Living bread and medicine for immortality, who give us eternal life

     We believe in you, O Lord

Deliver us, O Lord

From the power of Satan and the seductions of the world

     Deliver us, O Lord

From the pride and presumption of being able to do anything without you

     Deliver us, O Lord

From the deceptions of fear and anxiety

     Deliver us, O Lord

From unbelief and desperation

     Deliver us, O Lord

From hardness of heart and the incapacity to love

     Deliver us, O Lord

Save us, O Lord

From every evil that afflicts humanity

     Save us, O Lord

From hunger, from famine and from egoism

     Save us, O Lord

From illnesses, epidemics and the fear of our brothers and sisters

     Save us, O Lord

From devastating madness, from ruthless interests and from violence

     Save us, O Lord

From being deceived, from false information and the manipulation of consciences

     Save us, O Lord

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect your Church which crosses the desert

     Comfort us, O Lord

Protect humanity terrified by fear and anguish

     Comfort us, O Lord

Protect the sick and the dying, oppressed by loneliness

     Comfort us, O Lord

Protect doctors and healthcare providers exhausted by the difficulties they are facing

     Comfort us, O Lord

Protect politicians and decision makers who bear the weight of having to make decisions

     Comfort us, O Lord

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the hour of trial and from confusion

     Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In temptation and in our fragility

     Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the battle against evil and sin

     Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the search for what is truly good and true joy

     Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

in the decision to remain in you and in your friendship

     Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should sin oppress us

     Open us to hope, O Lord

Should hatred close our hearts

     Open us to hope, O Lord

Should sorrow visit us

     Open us to hope, O Lord

Should indifference cause us anguish

     Open us to hope, O Lord

Should death overwhelm us

     Open us to hope, O Lord

(Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi blessing, March 27, 2020)

[tweet "Pray the litany from the #urbietorbi blessing with your family. By @gracefinders99"]

If you love these types of prayers and are on the lookout for ways to help your friends and family to pray more deeply and regularly you may want to check out this book I just published on growing a life of prayer.

Copyright 2020 Carrie Soukup