Archbishop Lucas asks local Catholics to invoke St. Joseph

Prayer for the World During the Outbreak of the Coronavirus

In response to the continued spread of the novel coronavirus, Archbishop George J. Lucas is asking Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Omaha to invoke the intercession of St. Joseph on Thursday, March 19. That day is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, who is the patron saint of the Universal Church.

On March 11, all priests of the archdiocese were sent the following prayer (in English and Spanish) to share with their parishioners.

Prayers for the World during the Outbreak of the Coronavirus

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation. Through that charity which bound you to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s children from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection.
Amen.

(Excerpted from the Enchiridion of Indulgences, 1969)

Oración para el Mundo durante el Brote del Coronavirus

A ti, o beato San José, venimos en nuestra tribulación. Por esa caridad que te ataba a la inmaculada virgen madre de dios, y por el amor paternal con cuál abrazabas el niño Jesús, te imploramos humildemente que aceptes generosamente la heredad que Jesucristo compró con su sangre, y con tu poder y fuerza nos ayudes en nuestras necesidades.

O padre tan cariñoso, que combates todos los contagios del error e influencia que nos corrompen; o fuerte protector nuestro, que seas propicio con nosotros y nos ayudes desde el cielo en nuestra lucha con el poder de las tinieblas; y, como una vez rescató al niño Jesús del peligro mortal, ahora, que protejas los niños de dios de las trampas del enemigo y de toda adversidad; que protejas a cada uno de nosotros por tu protección constante. Amén.

(Extracto del Enquiridión de las Indulgencias, 1969)