The Healing Touch of Jesus and Mary: Commemoration of Saint Francis of Paola, Thursday, April 2, 2020


J.M.J.



The Litany of Loreto hails Our Lady as the “Health of the Sick,” among other things. Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P., wrote that this is true because of “the many providential or miraculous cures which have been observed through her intercession in Christian sanctuaries up to our own days.” But she, in imitation of Jesus, heals our bodies in order to assist our souls. “Her most important cures are those of the four spiritual wounds which we have suffered as a result of original sin and our personal sins—the wounds of concupiscence, of weakness, of ignorance, and of malice.”


Recognizing Our Lady’s kindness to us, Pope Francis, on the occasion of the Day of Prayer and Fasting on March 11, 2020, offered a videotaped message containing the following prayer that was delivered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love in Rome

To Our Lady, Health of the Sick, for Protection from COVID-19

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm.

You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
Who has taken upon Himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.


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