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Stella Coeli - A Prayer in Time of Pestilence
One of our pastors found this prayer for in times of pestilence. Not many modern prayer books have prayers in time of plague, but for our ancestors such prayers were needed more often. This Marian prayer against plague is a great example for us of turning to the Lord in uncertain times; He can be counted on even when our future looks uncertain.
Stella Coeli - A Prayer in Time of Pestilence
THE STAR OF HEAVEN that nourished the Lord drove away the plague of death which the first parents of man brought into the world. May this bright Star now vouchsafe to extinguish that foul constellation whose battles have slain the people with the wound of death.
O most pious Star of the Sea,
preserve us from pestilence;
hear us, O Lady,
for Thy Son honours Thee
by denying Thee nothing.
Save us, O Jesus, for whom
Thy Virgin Mother supplicates Thee.
V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God;
R: That we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.
V: Let us pray:
O God of mercy, God of pity, God of benign clemency, Thou Who hast had compassion on the affliction of Thy people, and hast said to the angel striking them, “Stop thy hand;” for the love of this glorious Star, whose breasts Thou didst sweetly drink as antidote for our crimes, grant the assistance of Thy grace, that we may be safely freed from all pestilence and from unprovided death; and mercifully save us from the gulf of eternal perdition: through Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
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Updates - March 25, 2020
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Mass Suspended - March 17, 2020
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General Dispensation - March 15, 2020
Date: March 15, 2020
To: All the Faithful of the Diocese of Spokane
From: Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly – Bishop of Spokane
Re: Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass
Following the announcement of the presence of COVID-19 here in eastern Washington, I am extending the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass I gave on March 13th to now include all the Catholic Faithful of the Diocese of Spokane through the weekend of March 28/29. This dispensation also applies to those of any age who may be traveling to other places, and to those visiting in the Diocese of Spokane.
Those members of the faithful who do not attend Sunday Mass should devote some time to prayer on the Lord’s Day, either alone or as a family. I especially recommend reading and reflecting upon the Gospel texts proclaimed on the upcoming Sundays. Those who take advantage of this dispensation are also encouraged to make the following spiritual communion:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You.
Amen.
Please join me in prayer and sacrifice that this evil which is spreading throughout our world would be crushed. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
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March 13, 2020 Memorandum from Bishop Daly
Date: March 13, 2020
To: All the Faithful of the Diocese of Spokane
From: Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly – Bishop of Spokane
Re: Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass for Those 60 Years and Older.
Following the emergency declaration issued by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, the Archdiocese of Seattle has suspended the public celebration of all Masses. Archbishop Etienne has made this decision in light of the presence of COVID-19 in western Washington.
Currently, the impact of this pandemic does not seem to be as grave here in eastern Washington which is why Mass will continue to be offered throughout the Diocese of Spokane. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.”
In light of this deadly outbreak, I want to increase our vigilance so as to protect the health and well-being of our community. Evidence suggests that people who are 60 years and older are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, I am issuing the following dispensation: In accord with the authority granted to the diocesan bishop by the Code of Canon Law (canons 87§1 and 1245), I hereby dispense the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Spokane who are age 60 and older from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14-15, March 21-22 and March 28-29 of this year. This dispensation also applies to those 60 and older who may be traveling in other places, and to those visiting in the Diocese of Spokane. I remind Catholics of any age that you are not obliged to participate in Mass when you are ill. Those who care for the sick are also not bound by the precept of Sunday Mass. You do not need the pastor’s permission or dispensation.
Those members of the faithful who do not attend Mass on these weekends should devote some time to prayer on the Lord’s Day, either alone or as a family. I especially recommend that you read and reflect upon the Gospel texts proclaimed on the 3 rd (John 4, 5-42) 4 th (John 9, 1-41) and 5 th (John 11, 1-45) Sundays of Lent. These faithful are also encouraged to make the following spiritual communion:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You.
Amen. -
March 12, 2020 Update
- Masses will continue.
- Keep good hygiene practices as indicated in previous diocesan statements.
- If you are sick or in a high risk group and concerned please stay home. You are dispensed from your obligation.
- Follow directions of local authorities.
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Official Statement - March 4, 2020
Official Statement by Bishop Thomas A. Daly
Coronavirus Outbreak
Washington State is quickly becoming ground zero for the number of coronavirus infections with several individuals dying from the disease. Genetic analysis of these cases has led officials to suspect that the disease was circulating for up to six weeks before first detected. Although it is likely the infection will continue to spread, experts still indicate the risk of this new virus to the general public remains low. Vigilance is nonetheless warranted.
I am in contact with local health care officials regarding proper prevention and precautions. Our Director of Catholic Schools, Katie Rieckers, is meeting with our principals to formulate a common prevention and potential response plan. She is doing this in consultation with the Spokane Regional Health District.
Out of an abundance of caution, I am encouraging our pastors to implement the following protocol effective immediately:
- Suspend the Sign of Peace during Mass.
- Refrain from distributing the Precious Blood at Mass. This might also provide a catechetical opportunity to remind the faithful that reception of the Sacred Host is indeed reception of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.
- Drain holy water fonts in the church or provide for frequent cleaning. If the font is dry, encourage parishioners to make the sign of the cross upon entering and exiting the Church.
- Consider providing hand sanitizer dispensers at the doors to the church and require all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to thoroughly wash their hands before Mass.
- If parishioners feel sick, they should be encouraged to stay home and not to attend Mass.
- Encourage people to practice common sense hygiene practices.
- Provide parishioners with additional information from the government by logging on to the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
This protocol will remain in place until Holy Week at which time it will be evaluated according to status of the outbreak. A diocesan update will be released before Easter.
Please pray for those who are ill and those who have lost their lives to this disease. Thank you.
March 5th update to clergy:
The bishop held a meeting today with local health experts, the vicars, school and other diocesan leaders. The health professionals offered the latest information and have also reviewed our protocol in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Following this meeting, the bishop would like to make the following adjustments to the protocol previously sent out.
- Please empty your holy water fonts.
- In addition to refraining from the Sign of Peace, remind people not to hold hands during the Our Father (where that is happening).
- Consider encouraging parishioners to receive Holy Communion in the hand. Receiving in the hand carries a risk of infection, but there is an increased danger of transmitting this virus through droplets in the mouth.
- Encourage your communities to remain calm. Health care officials are concerned about unnecessary anxiety.
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