Prayer against killings out this week
As killings grow rampant, Cebuanos are being urged to turn to an entity bigger than themselves – God.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is set to release in the coming days a so-called “oratio imperata” or obligatory prayer to be recited during Masses in hopes of bringing an end to the spate of killings that has gripped the province in anxiety and fear.
“Cebuanos, especially the laity, have grown sensitive to these killings, and their feelings are valid. We believe that in whatever issues and problems – big or small – prayer is the answer,”
Palma told The FREEMAN in Cebuano during an exclusive interview after a thanksgiving Mass held Wednesday evening as part of the success of “Salamat, Padre.”
Salamat, Padre gave tribute to the local clergy, as well as to the dedication and sacrifices of each of the lay persons and parishioners. The activity was part of the bigger observance for this year's pastoral thrust – the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons.
Held last Sunday, it coincided with the feast of St. John Vianney, who is venerated as patron saint of parish priests.
Palma earlier called on the authorities to investigate and respond to the killing spree, which has taken the lives of at least a hundred people in Cebu over the last six months.
Through the prayer, he said, the Church and the faithful will ask God's grace to intervene and put an end to the killings because according to him, the “efforts of men are not enough.”
The 68-year-old prelate has already tasked someone to draft the oratio imperata that is expected to be released within the week.
Once approved by Church officials, a copy of the prayer will be sent to different churches and parishes in Cebu so that it can be recited during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Fe Barino, head of the Commission on the Laity, quickly welcomed Palma's plan to come up with the obligatory prayer, believing that a unified effort to pray is needed to solve the issues faced by the country today, especially the unresolved killings.
“The oratio imperata will be prayed in all Masses, and we all know that the Mass is the most powerful sacrament,” she said. Barino also urged Catholics to be more concerned with their society and to be more prayerful.
The commission, she added, will also discuss ways to strengthen its “aurora” or the staging of dawn procession for the image of Mama Mary every Saturday as a way of inviting more people to be active agents of peace and concern for the community.