Prayer in Times of Epidemics

(extract from the Roman Ritual, Titulus IX, Caput X, with slight adapation (replacing some archaic English with modern English)

 

Verse: Deal not with us, Lord, according to our  sins.

Response: And take not vengeance on us because of our misdeeds. 

 

Verse: Help us, O God, our Deliverer.

Response: And for thy name's sake, O Lord, free us.

 

Verse: Remember not, O Lord, our sins of old.

Response: Hasten to us with thy compassion, for we have  become exceeding poor.

 

Verse: St. Sebastian, pray for us.

Response: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Verse: O Lord, hear my prayer.

Response: And let my cry come unto Thee.

 

Verse: The Lord be with you.

Response: And with thy spirit

 

Let us pray.

Vouchsafe to hear us, O God, our only salvation! And through the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, Mother of God and ever Virgin, of thy blessed martyr, Sebastian and of all the saints, deliver thy people from the terrors of Thy wrath, and restore their confidence by the outpouring of Your compassion.

 

Be moved to pity, O Lord, at our earnest entreaties, and heal the illnesses of body and soul; so that experiencing Your forgiveness we may ever rejoice in Your blessing.

 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, grant us a hearing as we devoutly raise our petitions to thee, and graciously turn away the epidemic of plague which afflicts us; so that mortal hearts may recognize that these scourges proceed from Thine indignation and cease only when Thou art moved to mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with The Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end.  Amen.

 

And may the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit descend upon you

and remain with you forever.