Pray It Rains 2010

Today during Sunday Mass, the Catholic Faithful are asked to pray for rain.  This was the same action taken by the Church in 2007 when the country suffered from a long dry spell.

This year, the country is facing the prospect of drought and water shortages brought about by the El Niño weather phenomenon.  Although the weather bureau said that it is only categorized as "moderate to strong", the phenomenon would reduce rainfall by 40 to 60 percent.  

However, the country is already experiencing its effects.  Low levels of water have already caused power cuts in certain parts of the country.  Rice and corn production are also reduced with losses estimated in the millions.  The Agriculture department has already said that if the effects become more severe, the country could import additional rice supply amounting to 880 thousand tons.

That is why the good Cardinal Rosales of Manila wrote a special prayer called Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam  to be recited after communion before the post communion prayer.  It asks God to send us rain and ease the drought.

The prayer goes:

God our loving Father, creator of our earth and of the universe, and all the wondrous elements of nature that sustain your living creatures, we humbly ask you to send us the rain that our country needs so badly at this time, to irrigate our fields, to stave off a power shortage, to provide water for our bodily health, and to refresh our parched lands. At your command the wind and the seas obey, raise your hand Almighty God to send us so that crisis may be averted.

Merciful and generous God, open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it. Teach us to be wise stewards of your creation so that we may always use them responsibly and protect them from abuse and exploitation. At this time of crisis, dear Lord, move us to share more and to love more.

Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers that we bring up to her, our Blessed Mother, to intercede for us, for the protection of our land and our people, whom she loves.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.

Cardinal Rosales also asked to include in the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful the supplication for rains.  He is the third prelate in the country to order the prayer after Cardinal Vidal of Cebu and Bishop Jumoad of Basilan.