Congregation for Divine Worship publishes details of a Votive Mass “in time of pandemic” and a new Intention for this year’s Good Friday Solemn Intercessions: 

The Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome has added an intention to the Solemn Intercessions during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and proposes a votive Mass taking into consideration the crisis in which the world is living

Good Friday intention

The intention for Good Friday includes a prayer “for those who suffer because of this pandemic”, that is, those who “suffer the consequences of the current pandemic” The prayer asks that God in His compassion might protect those who are suffering, relieve the pain of those who are sick, give strength to those who are taking care of them, and welcome the deceased into eternal peace.

The text is as follows:

FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (Good Friday)

The Solemn Intercessions

IX b.    For the afflicted in time of pandemic

Let  us  pray  also  for  all  those  who  suffer  the  consequences  of  the  current  pandemic,  that  God  the Father  may  grant  health  to  the  sick,  strength  to  those  who  care  for  them,  comfort  to  families  and salvation to all the victims who have died.

Prayer in silence.

Then the Priest says:

Almighty ever-living God,

only support of our human weakness,

look with compassion upon the sorrowful condition of your children

who suffer because of this pandemic;

relieve the pain of the sick,

give strength to those who care for them,

welcome into your peace those who have died

and, throughout this time of tribulation,

grant that we may all find comfort in your merciful love.

Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

Votive Mass

The Dicastery has also proposed a votive Mass “specifically to implore God to end this pandemic”. The Opening Prayer, or Collect, reads

“Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name.”