Vatican News provides the full text of Pope Francis' Letter on the Month of May, addressed to all the faithful throughout the world.

Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis
to the Faithful for the Month of May 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

          The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family.  The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

          For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May.  This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities.  The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

          I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.  I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

          Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial.  I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me.  I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020

Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

FIRST PRAYER

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.

Amen.

We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

SECOND PRAYER

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic.  Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply.  Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them.  Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew.  Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others.  Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need.  Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary.  Amen.

Intercession
May our merciful Lord calm the fears of all expectant mothers, fill them with His peace, and provide for every need.

Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection
On April 19, we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter. We also celebrate the Sunday of Divine Mercy, remembering the message Jesus so ardently instructed St. Faustina to spread of His endless mercy and forgiveness to those who seek it. Rooted in Christ’s message of Divine Mercy is trust: trust that Jesus loves us, desires to heal our souls, and is with us. 

This is an especially important message as we navigate the fears and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expectant mothers are especially vulnerable because they are bringing life into a world gripped by anxiety while often isolated from sources of support. All of us should prayerfully consider how we are called to help those who may be struggling in a particular way due to this crisis. And in our own lives, each of us is invited to come to Jesus just as we are and lay our cares, fears, and anxieties upon Him. The words Christ revealed to St. Faustina, He speaks to us and all who feel afraid: “ Lay your head on my shoulder, rest and regain your strength. I am always with you” (Diary, no. 848). As we seek to live out the message of Divine Mercy, we pray for the courage for all to proclaim, “ Jesus, I trust in you!”

Acts of Reparation   (Choose one.)

• Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm, the Hour of Mercy, for expectant mothers. (You can follow along with the chapel of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The chaplet airs daily on EWTN at 3:00 pm Eastern Time.)
• Jesus spoke to St. Faustina, “Reveal all the wounds of your heart. I will heal them” (Diary, no. 1487). Expose the cuts and wounds of your heart to Christ and allow His healing mercy to reach every hurt and hidden pain. Over the next week, make a nightly examination of conscience (examples) and Act of Contrition. (Please note that these practices don’t replace the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)
• Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for this month’s intention.

One Step Further
Learn about St. Faustina, the Apostle of Mercy, and the message of Christ’s mercy that she conveyed to mankind:  www.usccb.org/divine-mercy

Did You Know? 
Beginning on April 28, the feast day of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the USCCB will share a novena seeking her intercession for pregnant women and all who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Gianna was a 20th-century physician, wife, and mother. You can sign up to receive this novena at www.walkingwithmoms.com/saint-gianna-novena .