Add these two prayers about the Coronavirus to the May Rosary

We now live as on Noah's ark, waiting for the storm waters to subside. It is not yet sure, and every part of society is affected, regardless of whether it recognizes it or not.

During our walks in the neighborhood, we see the same dogs and they don't bark us anymore. We have become familiar. Everyone says goodbye, both in the car and on foot, because we are all looking for a pinch of connection in addition to those of our home - to see, to note. Even while shopping, the person loading the trunk takes longer to talk, because we are all tired of the strange silence that comes from living in isolation.

The longer it goes on, the more hungry we will be for conversations beyond our own heads, and it is there that God ardently invites himself into our hearts. During our daily walk, my husband starts the Rosary. It doesn't matter who accompanies it - say the Rosary. On rainy days, we take the car for a necessary commission and recite the Rosary along the way. It has become a gift of the day, which also helps us to sort the days (for the mysteries) that otherwise get confused. Furthermore, it is a guaranteed break in the afternoon, when the world and work threaten to bleed everywhere, detecting all the time that could otherwise be dedicated to the family, because we no longer have a clear line between work and home.

In the course of saying the Rosary, our family tradition is to offer a petition for each prayer. Petitions range across the spectrum, responding to the needs of family, friends, neighbors, the world and ourselves. We ask Mary to protect us, to intercede for us and to help us unite all our sufferings with the redemptive work of her son.

When we walk, Mary walks with us, weaving our souls with prayers, repairing the wounds that we inflicted from sins, errors, misunderstandings and all our defects. He also intercedes for those who do not walk with us every time we ask, and therefore he brings us graces that we did not know we needed, above all to do God's will more than those things in which we want to collaborate willingly.

The Holy Father also invited all the faithful to walk with Mary this May, composing two prayers to say at the conclusion of the Rosary, in response to the pandemic.

First prayer

The first prayer of Pope Francis reminds us that the servants who did what Jesus told them to do, on Mary's instruction, knew the results of their obedience, although the beneficiaries of that manifestation of the glory of God did not know it.

O Mary,
continually shine in our path
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We rely on you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
we were united with the suffering of Jesus
and persevere in your faith.

"Protector of the Roman people"
, know our needs
and we know that you will, in
so that, as in Cana of Galilee, the
joy and celebration may return
after this trial period.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
Because it has taken on our suffering
and burdened with our pains
to take us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.

We fly for your protection,
o Holy Mother of God;
Don't despise our petitions
in our needs,
but always free us
from every danger,
o Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

We know that Mary listens to our prayers and brings our concerns, whatever they are, to her Son.

Second prayer

The second new prayer reminds us to consider the great power and gift of intercessive prayer. Imagine if we all took a walk every day to pray with the Pope for our families, our neighbors and the world.

'We fly for your protection, O Holy Mother of God.'

In the current tragic situation, when the whole world is suffering and anxious, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. It comforts those who are upset and mourn their loved ones who have died and are sometimes buried in a way that deeply affects them. Being close to those who are concerned about their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment with hope.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us God, the Father of mercy, so that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may be born again. Beseech your divine Son, as you did in Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims are comforted and their hearts are open to trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are at the forefront of this emergency and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who attend the night and day of the sick, and to the priests who, in their pastoral concern and faithfulness to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illuminates the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, who could find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, who with wisdom, concern and generosity can come to the aid of those who do not have the basic needs of life and can devise social and economic solutions inspired by foresight and solidarity.

Most Holy Mary, stir our consciences, so that the huge funds invested in the development and accumulation of weapons will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us to realize that we are all members of a large family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, consolation of the afflicted, embraces all your children in difficulty and prays that God will stretch out his almighty hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Imagine if everyone started walking with Mary every day - how many tanks, currently full of water, would turn into wine. Today ask Mary to come with you on the walk and to bring your care to her Son.