As Aleteia has reported here, the situation in Venezuela is going from bad to worse — only it was already so bad it could hardly get worse.
The cardinal of Caracas, Jorge Urosa Savino, has denounced that the government of Nicolás Maduro “now intends something utterly grave.”
He was referencing the actions made last week, which the Economist has referred to as the country’s leap toward dictatorship.
“A river of blood runs through our cities on a weekly basis … Many of our brothers do not have enough to eat, and are suffering malnutrition and hunger,” the cardinal said.
Aleteia’s Spanish edition offers us this Prayer for Venezuela directed to the patron of this beautiful country, Our Lady of Coromoto, which we have adapted here.
Oh most holy Virgin of Coromoto, Mother of Mercy, we entrust to you the beloved nation of Venezuela. Sweet mother, we beg you to reclaim this Land of Grace as your own, for the glory of your Divine Son, truly present, body, soul and divinity, in the holy Sacrament of the Altar, to which Venezuela has been consecrated. Seeing the affliction caused by the sins of the nation, we come to you from the depths of our hearts, invoking your aid and protection. Have mercy on your dear people, look on them with mercy. Touch the hearts of those far from you. Illumine their understanding, help them to see the value and dignity of human life, aid them in carrying with responsibility the momentous gift of human freedom. Free them from every falsehood that leads to the terrible evil of rejecting life. Give wisdom to the people of Venezuela, that they might see that their country was founded under the protection of God’s holy law, and that only He is the true fount of our most precious rights: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. Protect and lead the ministers of your Son, that they might be able to protect and lead their flocks to the Divine Shepherd. Oh merciful Mother, give the leaders and people of your beloved Venezuela the courage to reject the culture of death and to shun any path that leads to the rejection of God. Show them the path to Life. We trust in your powerful intercession. Remember oh most gracious Virgin of Coromoto that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee, oh Virgin of Virgins, our Mother. To thee we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer us. Amen.
And today we celebrate...