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Here is the oratio imperata, a prayer for deliverance from Severe Tropical Storm Nika (Toraji)
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Church appealed for prayers as Severe Tropical Storm Nika (Toraji), the Philippines’ 14th tropical cyclone for 2024, threatens parts of Luzon especially in the north.
“I again humbly ask each of you to join together in fervent prayer, seeking the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, to protect us against this storm. Together, let us implore the Lord to shield us from harm and grant safety to all those in the path of this storm,” said Virac Bishop Luisito Occiano in an interview with Radio Veritas.
The Diocese of Virac, which Occiano leads, adopted an oratio imperata (obligatory prayer) for deliverance from Nika.
Here is the full text of the oratio imperata:
Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.
We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth. The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing and now, we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.
Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, and natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity. We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.
We ask that we, our loved ones, and our hard-earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.
Amen.
For the latest news about Nika, bookmark this Rappler page. – Paterno R. Esmaquel II/Rappler.com
