CBCP enjoins public to pray for rain in view of rising heat index

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Liturgy issues Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam (Obligatory Prayer for Requesting Rain) on Friday in a bid to counteract the extreme heat being experienced in the country.

MANILA, Philippines – To counteract the country’s extreme heat, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Liturgy issued “Oratio Imperata” for rain on Friday.

Oratio Imperata is a Latin term that translates to “Obligatory Prayer,” or prayer for a special intention.

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The Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam (Obligatory Prayer for Requesting Rain) goes as follows:

“God, our loving Father, Creator of our earth and of the universe and of all the wondrous elements of nature that sustain your living creatures, we humbly ask you to grant us relief from the extreme heat that besets your people at this time, disrupting their activities and threatening their lives and livelihood.

Send us rain to replenish our depleting water sources, irrigate our fields, stave off water and power shortages, and provide water for our daily needs.

At your command the wind and the seas obey.

Raise your hand, Almighty God, to avert the continuing rise in temperatures so that your people can engage in productive undertakings and our young people can pursue learning in tranquility and comfort.

Merciful and generous God, open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it.

Teach us to be wise stewards of our creations so that we may always use them responsibly and protect them from abuse and exploitation.

At this time of crisis, dear Lord, move us to share more, to serve more, and to love more.

Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother. Listen to the prayers that we bring up to her, our Blessed Mother, to intercede for us for the protection of our land and our people, whom she loves.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.

Saint Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.”

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Cost of damage

The Department of Agriculture said on Thursday that the extreme heat and lack of rain had resulted in P5.9 billion in agricultural damage as of April 30.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said that the public may still expect similar warm weather from March to May 2025, although there may be some rainfall.