DUCHOVNÉ SVÄTÉ PRIJÍMANIE

Got the desire and energy for something more?

• It has long been the Church’s encouragement that those una- ble to attend Mass on Sundays should, if they can, spend time in prayer reading the readings and prayers of the Day. These texts can be found in a People’s Missal, or in the Universalis app2. You might like to offer your prayer at the same time as Mass is usually offered in your parish.
• The Universalis app also makes available the texts of the Church’s Divine Office – her daily prayer. You might find Morning, Evening and Night Prayer the most helpful.
• Other forms of spiritual reading can be very supportive dur- ing a time of isolation. If you find you have nothing to hand ask friends and neighbours if they can recommend some- thing. (To avoid import the virus it will be safer to avoid li- brary books etc. Often ordering from the likes of Amazon will be the most convenient source.)
• You can find broadcasts of Mass – including the Pope’s daily Mass – online or on subscription TV.

Feeling on the fringes of things?

In sickness, you have the benefit of knowing that you are being prayed for by the Church. You may also be in a position where you can pray to God for yourself and your needs.

In addition – even in illness – you may find you have the strength and energy, and the desire, to pray for others.

And when you can you are, of course, sharing in the mission of the Church, interceding for those in need, sharing your love, inspired by the Lord’s love.

• If you are sick or in isolation you have a particular experience of this to bring to the Lord as you pray on behalf of others. Your prayer may be all the more informed and focussed, in consequence.

   A few simple suggestions:

• You might use the following prayer
  • General Prayer for Health
    • Christ be with me, Christ within me,
    • Christ behind me, Christ before me,
    • Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
    • Christ to comfort and restore me,
    • Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
    • Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
    • Christ in hearts of all that love me,
    • Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

• Read and reflect on a passage of scripture, even a single verse… Some suggestions

Some suggestions

• • O Lord, come to my rescue, Lord, come to my aid.                   Ps 39:14

  • Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
    save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.                Jer 17:14
  • Lord, save me.                                                                                   Matt 14: 30
  • Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.                                                               Rev 22:20

• Simply hold a cross or crucifix and ask to know the closeness of Jesus to you, to know his sharing in your pain, for love of you. You might use any cross, but especially popular are the olive wood hand crosses made in Palestine. We offer our sick- ness and suffering in union with others, with Jesus, of course, but with all who suffer.

• Pray a decade of the Rosary – or just hold the beads and re- mind yourself of God’s love and care

• Quietly sing or hum a favourite hymn tune… Can’t remember the words? Try ‘google’.

• Make use of a picture that speaks to you of God’s power, love, and care. You may have guidebooks to favourite shrines which can focus prayer – and again, of course, ‘google’ offers many images…