"We Fly to Your Protection, O Holy Mother of God"
This is a historical prayer composed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In that dramatic situation, filled with suffering and anguish throughout the world, we turned to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and sought refuge under your protection.
O Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes toward us amid the coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who were confused and grieving the loss of loved ones, sometimes buried in ways that deepened their sorrow. Sustain those distressed because the danger of contagion prevented them from remaining close to the sick. Give confidence to all who feared an uncertain future and the consequences for work and the economy.
Mother of God and our Mother, implore the Father of mercy that this difficult trial may end and that horizons of hope and peace may return. As at Cana, intercede with your divine Son. Ask him to comfort the families of the sick and of those who died, and to open their hearts to hope.
Protect doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and volunteers who served on the front lines during the emergency and risked their lives to save others. Accompany their heroic efforts and grant them strength, kindness, and health.
Remain beside those who cared for the sick day and night, and beside the priests who, with pastoral concern and commitment to the Gospel, tried to help and sustain everyone.
Holy Virgin, enlighten the minds of scientists so that they may find effective solutions and overcome the virus.
Assist the leaders of nations so that they may act with wisdom, diligence, and generosity, helping those who lack life's necessities and planning long-term social and economic solutions in a spirit of solidarity.
Holy Mary, touch our consciences so that the vast sums spent on increasing and improving weapons may instead support adequate research to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.
Most loving Mother, deepen throughout the world our sense of belonging to one great family. Help us recognize the bond that unites us, so that in a fraternal and generous spirit we may respond to the many forms of poverty and misery. Encourage firmness in faith, perseverance in service, and constancy in prayer.
O Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, embrace all your troubled children. May God free us with his mighty hand from terrible epidemics and allow life to resume its course in serenity.
We entrust ourselves to you, who shine upon our path as a sign of salvation and hope. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Read the prayer on the Vatican website.
Amen.