In the cold morning air on Saturday, March 21, Cardinal Timothy Dolan hurried into the Chapel at St. Cabrini Shrine in New York City. Leaving his coat on a pew, he picked up a bouquet of white flowers and walked quietly to the main altar. After kneeling silently, the Cardinal read a prayer to Mother Cabrini on behalf of all who are affected in any way by the virus outbreak. Then he was off again to his next stop.
The Cardinal visits the Shrine often, especially in time of crisis, and relies especially on the intercession of this holy woman who walked the streets in our neighborhood.
St. Frances Cabrini, pray for us!
A Prayer for those Afflicted by Covid-19
His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, at The Shrine of Saint Frances Cabrini, New York City
Sunday, 22 March, 2020
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
To you do we come O Jesus, Jesus Son of God, Savior and Divine Physician.
We approach you not alone, but in communion with your Mother Mary,
with the angels, with your foster father Saint Joseph and with all the saints and citizens of heaven.
Especially do we kneel to seek the intercession of one of our own who we love, who we call mother,
Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini.
You, O Mother Cabrini, who had while on earth such a compassion for the sick
will now be at the bedside of the those struck with the virus.
You Saint Frances Cabrini, who formed women and founded institutions to care for the ill
will watch over our physicians, nurses and health care advocates tending to those struggling today.
You, oh Mother Cabrini, who walked the teeming streets of the city on the lookout for the lonely,
the scared and the vulnerable, now traverse the empty streets of this frightened metropolis bringing healing, comfort and encouragement.
While our supplications this morning are for this community of New York we call our passing home,
we trust your intercession with Jesus on behalf of your own beloved Italy as well, so afflicted,
your home and that of so many of our parents and grandparents.
Place our frail prayers into the furnace of mercy and love of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
who is Christ our Lord, Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.