Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith A cardinal in Sri Lanka says he will make a vow to Our Lady this week to save his country from the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, has promised the Faithful that he will hold televised prayers and make a special plea to Our Lady of Lanka at the National Basilica in Ragama on April 3.
“I will be making a special vow to Our Lady of Lanka (Mother Mary) to protect our country from coronavirus at 11am on April 3,” said Cardinal Ranjith after a televised Mass on March 29.
“So, when your church rings the bell at 11am, you as a family go to the sacred place of your home where you have your daily prayers and silently pray to join with me in that moment.”
Healing
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has called on all Catholics to observe a day of fasting and prayer on April 3 to protect and heal all people in all countries and to rid the world of this devastating virus.
“We pray that the Blessed Mother will help us to get over these problems of the coronavirus, not only in our country but also the whole world,” added Cardinal Ranjith.
Mary Cicilia, 58, a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Negombo whose son has been working in Verona in virus-stricken Italy, said families would join Cardinal Ranjith in his vow.
“Our families are suffering from the worst tragedy and we live with fear in our day-to-day lives when we hear the news from Italy. We all pray to God,” she said.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has built a 15-room facility to keep suspected coronavirus patients under observation. The army operates 45 quarantine centers. Nearly 3,500 people including 31 foreigners have been under quarantine.
Caritas Sethsarana, the social arm of the Church in Colombo Archdiocese, is distributing dry ration parcels among needy families during curfew time.
Curfew
Sri Lanka reported its first death from the coronavirus on March 28 with six districts identified as high-risk areas, prompting a curfew to continue until further notice. The country’s airports are closed for arrivals of flights until April 7.
The Church cancelled public Masses and other services from March 15 because of a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases. The decision came in the middle of the Lenten season that features common gatherings such as the Way of the Cross, Lenten pilgrimages, group prayer services, Holy Hour and passion plays.
Cardinal Ranjith announced that Holy Week services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday will be closed to the public but will be broadcast on radio and television.