I have read reports about flooding in Iowa.
I have a STRONG SUGGESTION to the BISHOPS of the areas that are affected by floods.
It sounds as if the pastors of the area and their assistant bishops, the bishops – ESPECIALLY the diocesan bishop! – and religious priests of the region should get out their copy of the traditional Rituale Romanum and use the Benedictio contra inundationes aquarum…. NOW.
Fathers… Bishops… put on all your gear, get some people together, get out there and PRAY!
Benedictio contra inundationes aquarum |
Blessing of a community against floods |
Sacerdos indutus superpelliceo et stola, populo concomitante, portet ad rivum vel flumen benedicendum Reliquiam sanctae Crucis, ibique in quatuor partibus legat devote initia quatuor Evangeliorum, et post singularia Evangelia subjungat sequentes Versiculos et Orationem: |
The priest, vested in surplice and stole, accompanied by the people, carries the relic of the True Cross to the river or stream, and there devoutly reads at each of four different spots of the introductions to the four Gospels. After each Gospel he adds the following verses and prayers: |
V. Adjuva nos, Deus, salutaris noster. |
V. Stand by us, O God, our Helper. |
V. Mitte nobis, Domine, auxilium de sancto. |
V. Send us help, O Lord, from thy holy place. |
Oremus. Deus, qui justificas impium, et non vis mortem peccatoris: majestatem tuam suppliciter deprecamur; ut famulos tuos de tua misericordia confidentes, ab aquarum periculis, caelesti protegas benignus auxilio, et assidua protectione conserves: ut tibi jugiter famulentur, nullisque tentationibus a te separentur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii + et Spiritus Sancti, descendat super has aquas, easque coerceat. R. Amen. |
Let us pray. O God, Who dealest justly with the wicked, and dost not will the death of sinners, humbly we entreat they Majesty! Protect with heavenly aid thy trusting servants from perils of flood, and keep them constantly under thy heavenly protection. May they at all times serve thee, and never through any temptation be separated from thee. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. And may the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit descend upon these waters, and keep them under control. R. Amen. |
From The Romanum Ritual: In Latin and English With Rubrics and Plainchant Notation. Translated and Edited With Introduction and Notes by Philip T. Weller. Volume III: The Blessings. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1946, pp. 161-3.
et post singular Evangelia subjungat sequentes Versiculos et Orationem:
Should that read, “post singularIA Evangelia”?
Individuals can also pray against storms and floods etc. I live in tornado alley and from March to July I am at the ready to hit the tornado shelter with birds, dog, and grand daughter in tow. Before this I burn blessed palm when I am first alerted and I pray for all in harm’s way using the prayer below. I also make use of the Epiphany blessing, with the blessed chalk, yearly and extend it to my shelter and all out buildings. I have a rosary and crucifix in the shelter and we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet while under ground. My older brother, who has left the Church, thinks I am a crazy but when he is watching the tornado come straight for us and all of a sudden it takes a different route, he calls me and says, “You burnt blessed palm didn’t you?” And my answer is always, “Yep!”
Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. † God became man, † and the Word was made flesh. † Christ was born of a Virgin. † Christ suffered. † Christ was crucified. † Christ died. † Christ rose from the dead. † Christ ascended into Heaven. † Christ conquers. † Christ reigns. † Christ orders. † May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning † Christ went through their midst in Peace, † and the Word was made Flesh. † Christ is with us with Mary. † Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Judah, the Root David, has won. † Holy God! † Holy Powerful God! † Holy Immortal God! † Have mercy on us. Amen!
Albinus I am pretty sure that is the fault of autocorrect:
it should be “et post singula Evangelia”
During Sandy, my daughter & I said the prayers Father Z posted here, in Latin. We live in a place that was destroyed by previous flooding (Eileen?). Yet during Sandy, we were spared. Praise G-d.