The Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See has made available a downloadable book entitled Strong in the Face of Tribulation, containing prayers, supplications and the Pope’s homilies as “a sure support in time of trial”.
Contents
The cover of the book carries an image of the Archangel Michael who “protects the Church against evil and supports us in this difficult trial, so that this evil may not prejudice our trust in the Father and the solidarity among us,” writes Tornielli. Rather, these trying times should become an “opportunity to look at what is truly essential for our lives and to share the love received from God among all,” especially with those who are most in need.
Prayers from the Church’s tradition
Strong in the Face of Tribulation contains three sections. In the first, prayers, rituals and supplications for difficult times inspired by Christian tradition can be found. It includes, blessings for the sick, prayers for liberation from evil, and other texts that originate from various ecclesial contexts and historical eras.
Pastoral indications
The second part of the document gathers together the indications given by the Church to continue to live and to receive the grace of the Lord, the gift of forgiveness and the Eucharist, the power of the Easter liturgies even though we are unable to participate physically in the Sacraments.
Pope’s words
The final part is a collection of Pope Francis’s words to the ecclesial community in these times of trial. It contains all of his homilies from Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, and the texts of the Sunday Angelus discourses, beginning from 9 March 2020.