The Coimbra Marian Prayer against Pestilence

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There is a prayer in Portugal known by the faithful as Stella Coeli.  It began with nuns who followed the way of St. Clare of Assisi in the ancient university city of Coimbra in Portugal.  At a time when disease was killing so many, the nuns began the invocation and prayer to the Star of the Sea.

Here is an English translation of that prayer from years ago in which "the Star" refers to Saint Mary the Mother of God (Theotokos). With the COVID-19 coronavirus traversing the globe, I offer it here for all Catholics and those whose trust and love of the Lord Jesus includes love and trust for His Mother Mary:

Stella Coeli 

The Star of Heaven that nourished the Lord 
 drove away the plague of death 
which the first parents of man brought into the world.

May this bright Star now vouchsafe 
to extinguish that foul constellation 
whose battles have slain the people 
with the wound of death.

O most pious Star of the Sea, 
preserve us from pestilence; 
hear us, O Lady, for Thy Son honours Thee 
by denying Thee nothing.

Save us, O Jesus, 
for whom Thy Virgin Mother supplicates Thee.

V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

O God of mercy, God of pity, God of benign clemency, Thou Who hast had compassion on the affliction of Thy people, and hast said to the angel striking them, “Stop thy hand;” for the love of this glorious Star, whose breasts Thou didst sweetly drink as antidote for our crimes, grant the assistance of Thy grace, that we may be safely freed from all pestilence, and from unprovided death; and mercifully save us from the gulf of eternal perdition: through Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

Collects for the First Sunday of Lent (Anglican Patrimony)

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O Lord, which for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.  Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer, 1549

Lord Jesus Christ, who wast in all points tempted as we are : Strengthen us, we pray thee, in our manifold temptations; and as thou knowest our weaknesses, so may we know thee mighty to save; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit art one God for ever and ever. 

JLG

Holy Father, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the desert: Give us grace to discipline ourselves in humble submission to your Spirit that we may lead upright and holy lives to your honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Modern Collects

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan : come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations ; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each find you mighty to save ; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

The Book of Common Prayer 1979 USA
Based upon a prayer of William Bright "For the Tempted"

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet did not sin : give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your saving power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

APB, Ireland

Almighty God, your Son fasted forty days and forty nights in the desert : give us grace to use such discipline, that our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may always obey your will in righteousness and holiness, to your honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

An Anglican Prayer Book, South Africa

Merciful Father, your Son was tempted as we are yet without sin : be with us in our weakness that we may know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

An Anglican Prayer Book, South Africa

A hymn of Richard Rolle of Hampole, d. 1349

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I have found this text of Richard Rolle of Hampole (d. 1349) especially useful to be before or after the Stations of the Cross on Fridays in Lent and at other times:

Lord Jesus, when I think of Thee,

And look upon Thy cross aright,

Thy body stained with blood I see,

Lord, pierce my heart with that sad sight!

Jesus, true love I owe to Thee

Who on the cross didst show, that tide,

The crown of thorns, the sharp nails three,

The cruel spear that pierced Thy side.

Jesus, love made Thy tears to fall, 

'Twas love that made Thy blood to flow,

For love wast scourged and smitten all,

For love Thy life Thou didst forego.

Mary, I pray, as thou art free,

A part of this thy grief I'll bear,

That I may sorrow here with thee,

And bliss with thee here after share!

Richard Rolle of Hampole 

(d 1349)

To Jesus the life of our flesh

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To JESUS the life of our flesh,

Who quickeneth whom He willeth :

To JESUS the life of our soul,

Who came that we might live more abundantly:

To JESUS the life of His Church,

Who loved her and gave Himself for her :

Let all mankind in earth and in paradise,

Reconciled by His death, and saved by His life,

Give glory and honour, worship and praise,

Now and for ever and ever.

from Sursum Corda
A Handbook of Intercession and Thanksgiving
W.H. Frere and A.L. Illington

A Sarum Prayer of the Priest Before Mass

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GOD, who makest worthy of the unworthy, just and holy of sinners, and clean of the unclean, cleanse my heart and body from all taint and defilement of sin, and make me a worthy and strenuous minister at thy holy altars; and mercifully grant that on this altar, to which I unworthy make approach, I may offer a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to thy loving-kindness, for my sins and offences, and for my innumerable daily transgressions, and likewise for the washing away of the sins of all Christian people. And may my desire be acceptable to thee, through him who offered himself a sacrifice for us to thee his God and Father, Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

This prayer of the priest before Mass appears in a 1526 edition of the Sarum Missal. In the Missal this prayer is located between Holy Saturday and Easter Day. It would be an appropriate prayer before Mass for all priests in addition to other required prayers.

150th Anniversary of Helena of Gonawlla's stigmata

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Helena of Gonawila is known to Catholics from Ceylão (Ceylon/Sri Lanka) as Sister Helena. She was a lay consecrated woman.  She is widely revered and loved in the Island nation, and in the movement forward for her canonisation one of the confirmed miracles involved a Buddhist boy who received a documented miraculous healing.  Our Lord loves everyone.

A popular image of
Helena of Gonawila

You can read about this story on the AsianNews.it website here: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Catholics-celebrate-150th-anniversary-of-Helena-of-Gonawila's-stigmata-(photos)-49279.html   

I would encourage all of us who are ill, injured or suffering in some other way to seek her intercession.  We are not alone, and we have friends in the Paradise of God who willingly pray for us.

For those of you who are well and in a time of happiness, please seek her intercession on behalf of those who are suffering in whatever way they may be in need.

We must pray for the sick and suffering... especially when we are well and all is going well in our lives.  This kind of prayer is one of the clearest examples of the solidarity among sisters and brothers who are One in the Body of Christ.

Epistle Reading for Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple

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A Reading 

from the Letter to the Hebrews 

(2:14-18)

 Since the children share in blood and flesh,

Jesus likewise shared in them,

that through death he might destroy the one

who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,

and free those who through fear of death

had been subject to slavery all their life.

Surely he did not help angels

but rather the descendants of Abraham;

therefore, he had to become 

like his brothers and sisters

in every way,

that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest 

before God

to expiate the sins of the people.

Because he himself was tested

through what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested.

HEBREWS 2:14-18 (NAB)

Ave Maria by William Gomez

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As this year ends and a new one begins, I ask the Blessed Mother to embrace us all and take us to her Son Jesus.

The following setting of Ave Maria by William Gomez is one of the most beautiful settings of the prayer.  I include below the video of Elina  Garanča, mezzo-soprano, singing this setting of Ave Maria in Vienna during Christmastide A.D. 2007.  The text of this setting is in Spanish.

Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis peccatoribus 

nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Anglican Patrimony: A Litany of the Incarnation

Offices of the Gospel: Monday at the Sixth Hour

HOLY art thou, O God; holy, Creator : Father most holy:
Have mercy upon us.

Holy art thou, O God; holy, most mighty; holy Incarnate:
Have mercy upon us.

Holy art thou, O God; holy, immortal; holy, Lifegiver:
Have mercy upon us.

Glory be to God on high;
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men.

By the archangel's salutation,
Grant us thy peace.

By Mary's glad obedience,
Grant us thy peace.

By the endless joy of Christmas,
Grant us thy peace.

By the love of Mary Mother,
Grant us thy peace.

By thy lowly birth and lodging,
Grant us thy peace.

By thy cradle in a manger,
Grant us thy peace.

By the song of herald angels,
Grant us thy peace.

By the homage of poor shepherds,
Grant us thy peace.

By the offering of princes,
Grant us thy peace.

By thy holy name of Jesus,
Grant us thy peace.

Glory be to God on high:
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men.

WE thy children do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God, and to grant 
that the glad light of the Incarnation may shine throughout the world;
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That the Gospel of thy love may win the faith and homage of all hearts;
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That all estates of men may know and find their unity at Bethlehem;
Son of man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That the questionings of all minds and the wants of all souls

at Bethlehem may find their peace:
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That thy birth as Man may hallow the whole life of man:
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That we may ever wear in honour the robe of flesh which thou hast worn:
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That thou for whom an inn could find no room may not again be crowded from our lives:
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

That thou for whom a stable-place sufficed wilt not disdain to dwell within our hearts:
Son of Man, we beseech thee to hear us.

Glory be to God on high:
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men.

THEREFORE with angels and archangels, with patriarchs and prophets, with Mary and Joseph, with wise men and shepherds, with all men and all creatures, let us bless the Lord;
Hosannah in the highest.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the governments shall be upon his shoulder;
Hosannah in the highest.

And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace;
Hosannah in the highest.

For in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;
Hosannah in the highest.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us;
Hosannah in the highest.

And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth;
Hosannah in the highest.

GOD the Father, maker of men; God the Son, born among men; God the Holy Ghost, sanctifying men, bless, preserve, and keep us, evermore and evermore. Amen.

Cambridge Offices and Orisons
E. Milner-White, B.T.D. Smith
1921

Uher Hymn: NOW LIGHT YOUR LAMPS

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A hymn text that may be sung during the Twelve Days of Christmas and at New Year's.

NOW LIGHT YOUR LAMPS

Now light your lamps, ye Christians wise
and gather 'neath Christ's Star.
The Light of lights, the Prince of Peace
has come here from afar.
No warrior he, the Word made flesh,
the servant of us all, 
the Child whose breathing brings us peace,
whose heartbeat saves us all.

God's Mother's face reveals his light
as moon shines by the sun,
And Joseph's eyes filled full with joy
gleam bright with God's own Son. 
O Christ our God, true face of God
now cradled in their arms,
O please accept what gifts we bring:
our hearts, our minds, our love.

Child Jesus, hear our fervent prayer
for peace to reign on earth, 
for great and small, for rich and poor,
for each to know their worth.
Though fallen be the human race
and sin and hate abound
give peace to all for in each face
thy image still is found.

O sing, you blessed company 
of faithful people. Sing
for God the Child whose very light
demands the darkness flee.
O Trinity of endless light, 
with love our praise we bring
where Wisdom found a cave for house
to bring forth earth's true king. 

Copyright © 2007 Vincent Uher
Suggested tune: Forest Green

Jan Roh Hymn: "Once He Came in Blessing"

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Johann Roh's hymn Gottes Sohn ist kommen has been known in several English translations as a traditional hymn of Advent and Christmastide. The following is the well known English translation by Catherine Winkworth that I believe first appeared in The Chorale Book for England, 1863, and it appears at No. 86 in the excellent Wartburg Hymnal: For Church, School, and Home published by the Wartburg Publishing House, Chicago in 1918 for  the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America:

Once He came in blessing,

all our ills redressing;

came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

bore the cross to save us,

hope and freedom gave us.

Still He comes within us,

still His voice would win us

from the sins that hurt us;

would to Truth convert us

from our foolish errors

ere He comes in terrors.

Thus, if thou hast known Him,

not ashamed to own Him,

but wilt trust Him boldly

nor dost love Him coldly,

He will then receive thee,

heal thee, and forgive thee.

He who thus endureth

bright reward secureth.

come, then, O Lord Jesus,

from our sins release us;

let us here confess Thee

till in heaven we bless Thee.

     

 Text: Jan Roh, 1544

Translation: Catherine Winkworth, 1863

This hymn and tune appear as No. 74 in The Lutheran Hymnal 1941 (an outstanding hymnal as sacred to some Lutherans as The Hymnal 1940 is sacrosanct for some Episcopalians).  Some newer hymnbooks have butchered the text or abandoned it, but the Editors of The Hymnal 1982 of the Episcopal Church (USA) very gently retouched the text in a masterful way that kept the integrity of Winkworth's original poetic translation and which encouraged congregations to embrace it as a seasonal favourite:

1  Once He came in blessing,

All our ills redressing;

Came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

Bore the cross to save us,

Hope and freedom gave us.

2  Still he comes within us,

still his voice would win us

from the sins that hurt us;

would to Truth convert us:

not in torment hold us,

but in love enfold us.

3  Thus if thou canst name him,

not ashamed to claim him,

but wilt trust him boldly,

nor dost love him coldly,

he will then receive thee,

heal thee, and forgive thee.

4   One who thus endureth

bright reward secureth.

Come then, O Lord Jesus,

from our sins release us;

let us here confess thee,

Till in heaven we bless thee.

I would be remiss not to include the tune sometimes used in the Moravian Church in the USA.  The tune is found in an older Moravian hymn book, and for a number of generations the following tune was "the right tune" and still is "the right tune" according to a retired pastor friend of mine: 

 

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Uher Hymn: ALL GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH

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My hymn below is sung to the tune OLD 113TH which once was well known in Wesleyan and Methodist circles as the tune for "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath".  My text is appropriate for Christmastide and all feasts of the Incarnation and the Holy Family.  

ALL GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH

All glory be to God on high!

Peace, laud, and joy be our reply

To angels singing in the sky.

Praise Jesus Christ, true light from light.

Tender his love and great his might,

Christ Jesus, Saviour, our delight.

 

O Word and Wisdom, thee we name,

Jesus the Infant, God the same.

Praise and all worship to thy Name.

Son of blest Mary, spotless Lamb,

High Priest most holy, Great I AM,

Receive our lives into thy hand.

Praise God for Joseph, sainted man,

Brave Guardian of God’s saving plan,

Protector of the God-made-man.

Praise God for Mary Mother true,

Faithful to Jesus her life through,

Mother of God, our Mother too.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, most holy Lord,

With thy blest Spirit be adored

In God’s own glory here outpoured.

Joy now to hear thine infant cries!

Hope of the simple and the wise!

Love from all souls to thee arise!

© 2008 by Vincent William Uher III

WORDS: Vincent Wm Uher III

TUNE:  OLD 113th 

I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath

[O Mensch, bewein] Strassburger Kirchenamt, 1525

88.88.88