The name Irma means entire or universal. Catholic means universal also. Let us see Irma's name as an invitation to Catholics everywhere to call on Our Lady, Queen of heaven and earth and Star of the Sea, to intercede for Irma to cease her devastation and turn away from land and move far out to sea leaving no more damage in her wake and not threatening anyone in ships on the ocean.
Let us also offer up a sacrifice placing it spiritually on the altar at Mass and begging God for mercy for all the people in Irma's path.
Here is a prayer against storms and hurricanes recommended by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. They have certainly seen their share of devastating storms. Let us beg the Queen of Heaven to pray for us. Her Son did not refuse her when she told him the wine had run out for the wedding feast. He will not refuse her intercession to protect her children from the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma:
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| Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Prayer for Hurricane Season
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen. Originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957. - Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA
Prayer for Protection against Storms and Hurricanes
Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to Avert Storms and Hurricanes
Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. Calm the storms and hurricanes that threaten us and turn our fear of your power into praise of your goodness. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
This week I've really felt compelled, in the face of these very real hurricane threats and other threats arising around the world, to no longer pray for the physical welfare of humans in the path of destruction, so much as that God would have Mercy on the souls that might/will be lost.
ReplyDeleteIf you're standing near to ICBM missile silos, and you see them all open up in tandem and launch their missiles, yes you could pray that by some technological glitch, they all self destruct and land harmlessly in the ocean.
Or you could understand the immediate reality, grasp that your nation will be on the receiving end of the same any minute, and plead God's Mercy on all the souls who will be lost in a matter of moments.
We're no longer anticipating the Storm.
We are in it.
It's awfully late in the game to hope that hurricanes (and worse) will be steered out to sea by our prayers of supplication.
We are in the midst of chastisement of the sort we have all read about and feared, and humanity, unfortunately is deserving of this chastisement.
All of us are or are about to experience real suffering. These crosses are upon us whether we like it or not.
Make an act of acceptance, right now, of all the crosses that will be coming your way, and consciously offer them up, now, for the souls of family, friends, and the world who do not grasp the nature of the times that are upon us and are unprepared.
United to your prayers. Just wanted to comment that I looked for the meaning of the name Irma days ago and I got: goddess of war, where did you find the meaning universal? Than you,
ReplyDeleteThings indicate you are correct. When we have these things and earthquakes like the 8.1 in Mexico, what other conclusion should we reach, especially when we see our 2000 year old Catholic faith in tatters. It is astounding, even though we are believers, these events leave us sober and stunned.
ReplyDeleteGod is just, He is mighty, He will not be mocked. America is still a Christian nation, and we are under attack daily by god-haters and demons. I believe He is helping us, even though it may not feel like help. As Christians we surely believe He brings good out of bad.
We are living in interesting times. I would have selected boring.
God help all who are hurt or will be hurt by these storms. May He have mercy on the dead.
Here's a website that covers name meanings and shows Irma from the Germanic meaning whole or universal.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.behindthename.com/name/irma