April 5, 2020 - "March 27 Message of Pope Francis:

On Friday, March 27, 2020, I was able to participate through communications media in the Urbi et Orbi message of Pope Francis.  Urbi et Orbi is Latin for the following phrase:  “For the city (of Rome) and the world.  Usually this blessing would be given by the Holy Father at Christmas or at Easter.  But as a result of the unprecedented manner in which the coronavirus pandemic has brought profound devastation on nations all over the world, the Holy Father prayerfully discerned that these extraordinary times need extraordinary measures.  I hope that you have the opportunity to read it. If you don’t have access to his meditation prior to that very special blessing, please let me know and I’ll be happy to send a copy of it to you.
 
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has made a statement on the Holy Father’s Urbi et Orbi message on the same date it was delivered (March 27, 2020).  Here is a copy of this statement:
 
“Along with my brother bishops of the United States, I am grateful for Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi message today.  We join him in asking God to bless the world and to us from the coronavirus pandemic.
 
“I think we all understand that we took part today [on March 27] in something historic, as the whole world was gathered together through communications media by the successor of St. Peter, united in one prayer before the living presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist.
 
“It was a moving and emotional moment, and I urge my fellow Catholics, and every person of good will, to read and reread Pope Francis’ beautiful meditation.
 
“In his message, the Holy Father reminds us that this time of the coronavirus is a call to courage, a call to faith.  And as he says, faith does not mean simply agreeing with a set of ideas.  Faith means making a decision to entrust our lives to Jesus Christ and to follow his path, to embrace his cross.
 
“The Holy Father tells us today that this pandemic is a time for conversion, a time for us to make choices about what truly matters in our lives, a time for us to change the priorities of our societies.  It is a time to turn to God and to recognize that no matter how advanced our civilization and technology, we cannot save ourselves.  We need God.
 
“In this moment saints are being made, the Holy Father tells us, pointing to the quiet heroism of ordinary people carrying out their daily duties in extraordinary times, serving one another with kindness and patience. ‘How many people pray, offer and intercede for the good of all,’ our Holy Father observes. ‘Prayer and silent service:  these are our winning weapons.’
 
“So let us continue to unite with Pope Francis, in asking the Lord, through the intercession of Mary our Blessed Mother, to bless our world and to give us courage to love and serve our brothers and sisters in this time of trial.”

I want to end my column today, on which we celebrate Palm Sunday with this prayer to Our Lady asking her mother intercession for all of us during this coronavirus pandemic.  This prayer was prepared and released through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
 
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.  We fly to you today as your beloved children.  We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.
 
Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
 
For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.  Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
 
In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.  Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
 
We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy.
 
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.  Amen.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John