A priest from the Diocese of Tarlac has composed and released a prayer for Lent.
Father Melvin Castro of the Mater Dolorosa Parish in Tarlac posted the prayer "To Mary (Ad Mariam)" in his Facebook page last week.
The prayer and the accompanying verses and responses are written below:
Verse: To Mary, Simeon said, "Your soul a sword will pierce." (Luke 2.35)
Response: So that the thoughts of many may be revealed. (Luke 2:35)
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.
V: Jesus said to His Mother, "My hour has not yet come." (John 2:4)
R: And Mary said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2.4)
Hail Mary..
V:To his Mother, Jesus said, "Woman, behold thy Son." (John 19:26)
R:And Christ entrusts us to Mary, "Behold thy Mother." (John 19:27)
Hail Mary..
V:Pray for us O Holy Mother of God.
R:That we be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Castro said the prayer has been approved for the Diocese of Tarlac.
"Public use in other dioceses needs expressed permission of the Local Ordinary," he said.
The prayer is to be prayed during the whole season of Lent in place of the Angelus.
Catholics observed the start of the Lenten season on Feb. 17 with Ash Wednesday.
Lent is a time when Catholics are enjoined to do good works, fast and pray.