Legazpi clergy seeks prayers amid Mayon unrest

The Diocese of Legazpi appealed to the Catholic faithful in Albay province to join in praying the “Oratio Imperata for Calamity” amid the threat of eruption from Mayon volcano.

Fr. Rex Paul Arjona, social action director of the diocese, said church officials asked several radio stations in the province to air the prayer.

In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, Arjona said praying the Oratio Imperata would play a huge role in the spiritual preparation of the faithful.

The Oratio Imperata is an obligatory prayer issued by a diocese during situations of grave need, or when a calamity occurs.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of a possible hazardous eruption of Mayon within days or weeks.

The volcano first spewed ash over the weekend, followed by lava flow on Monday night, prompting residents to flee their homes.

Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon called on the faithful not to panic amid the threat of an eruption.

“Keep calm and listen to updates. Let us pray that this will not get any worse,” he said. —Julie M. Aurelio