Praying during the Coronavirus Outbreak

21 March 2020 (Abu Dhabi). 

The Coronavirus Pandemic has been affecting all of us in one way or the other. Governments all over the world are taking necessary precautions to safeguard their citizens from the spread of the virus. A measure that has affected some of us in a particular way is that of having had to close our churches which has left us without the means of partaking physically in the Eucharist. In this situation, our strength lies in finding ways to pray and stay in communion with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. 

In the sections below, we have compiled a few helpful resources that may assist in joining the prayers of the church, the Liturgy of the Hours and the Holy Eucharist. 

Praying with the Church through the Liturgy of the Hours

The Catholic Church is a communion of the faithful around the world and is a community that prays together. Every single day of the year, at many times during the day, men and women who have set apart their lives for God’s service pray together at certain “hours” or times of the day. Joining the prayer of the Church, also called the “Liturgy of the Hours”, can be a wonderful means to experience the power of praying together, even when we are not physically close to our brother or sisters. 

To pray the Liturgy of the Hours, choose any of the following resources:  

• Universalis (offers Mass Readings and the official prayers of the Church for all hours of the Day)

• Magnificat (provides Morning, Evening and Night Prayers along with Mass Text, Meditation and Saint of the Day)

The Bishop and priests of our Vicariate celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass daily in the cathedral and other parishes of the Vicariate, bringing each and every one of you to the altar. Click here to access the Cathedral's YouTube channel. To view the schedules of live transmissions from the Cathedral, click here. 

Helpful suggestions while watching mass online: 

• Prepare yourself as you would for mass in church. If possible, gather as a family. You may wish to read the Mass readings and the meditation. 
• Avoid distractions. Switch off or silence your devices. 
• Create a suitable atmosphere for prayer. A crucifix, holy pictures, or lighted candles can help.  
• Prepare yourself spiritually by praying spontaneously, reciting familiar prayers or a special prayer. 
• As far as possible, try to follow the postures that you would normally take while participating at mass.
• Join in the prayers, responses and hymns of the mass as you normally would. 
• During the moment of Holy Communion, make an act of spiritual communion. 
• Make an act of thanksgiving after the Mass. You may spontaneously do so, say familiar prayers or a special prayer.