911. When hearing that number, Americans used to think about the number to call when an emergency or crisis occurred. For the last 19 years it has meant more - remembering the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania when, at 8:46 on that sunny Tuesday morning, our world changed forever.
We have been coming together on this anniversary to reflect and unite our voices in prayer. This year, we have an additional source of anxiety: widespread disease. It may prevent us from coming together as we have in previous years. It may increase the fear and frustration we have felt as a nation since this century began. But that doesn't mean that we should feel as if we've been abandoned by God, who continues to love us and call out to us.
In reaching out in prayer during these times of uncertainty, we can ask the intercession of one who also had to deal with fear of the future: the teen aged unwed mother from Nazareth, Mary.
Here is a prayer which can help focus us on getting through the crises that may overwhelm us, so that our hearts can be made calm and we can hear the still, small voice of the Father calling us to trust Him and to remind us that we are His, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.