I think this points to how I'm thinking about this whole weird mess. Yes, there's a disease going around. Yes, it is contagious and to be taken seriously. But it's also a distraction, in the same way that a monk at prayer in his cell, in the moments when he has a chance to be closest to Christ, will suddenly be tormented by a mouse running up his garment or chewing on his bread, or the overwhelming urge to sneeze, or impure thoughts, or being too hot or too cold.

Think of the entire Church as a monk, and the corona virus as one of many distractions sent to draw his attention away from adoration, thanksgiving, praise, and pleading for the salvation of his soul and all the other pious intentions he might have.

There are times when he needs to calmly get up and close the window or close the bread box or open his eyes and look at the Cross to regain his composure (parallel being practical measures to deal with a new flu virus); but if he becomes obsessed with that interruption, begins chasing the mouse around his cell, becomes angry, hurling his breviary at it, tripping over his robes trying to stomp on it, etc., the devil has just won a great battle, tearing his attention from Our Lord and keeping it well distracted for even days at a time.

I have a sense that we are in a great battle, but we are very easily distracted by the little battles that the evil one hurls into our path.

The doctors will work on the health care. The politicians will work on the policies. Most of us have only the duty to pray, to love, and to become saints, no matter what crap everyone around us is up to, and no matter what misery the world falls into.

Forgive me if that's too much said, or said in the wrong tone. I was really inspired by a good long talk with my godson today, so I'm overflowing a bit of that. God did not bring us into this life now, here, in this time and place, without intending that we should be here for Him in this moment. The most beautiful thing we can do is live this moment for God, with all our hearts, no matter how it turns out. Do the practical things necessary according to your duties. Don't worry about the rest. I think that's some rephrased Padre Pio or something. Sorry if I've mangled it. :P

I also posted a two sided version for you technocrats that are so moved to do so.

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@francis I am going to make a U.K. version. So many of us have been failed by our bishops.

Here is CCooze's prayers in printable cards.

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@Ccooze suggested prayer cards

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@Ccooze

Based on the info by chonak on indulgences, let me know what the latest is according to the prayer you posted above.

@francis, the indulgence that was listed has nothing to do with my suggestion/use of the prayer.
I'm perfectly fine with that part being left off, entirely.

I'm not sure to what you are referring, Charles.

What I am saying is that rather than complain about spiritual communion and televised masses, they are better than nothing. No, they are not the norm, but are all we have at the moment. I am most disappointed over missing Easter.

Yes, but... complaining isn't going to change anything. There have been two deaths in my parish this week. When relatives called about funeral music, I had to tell them we are completely shut down and a graveside service is all that will happen. The numbers will have to be kept low, as well. They can schedule memorial masses at some time in the future.

I spent a good bit of time working on Easter music and liturgy. Not happening this year, but maybe I will appreciate next year's Easter season more. Sometimes you don't appreciate what you have until you don't have it.

A couple of weeks ago, one of my Trad friends was righteously protesting the mandated communion in the hand. Since masses were cancelled the following day, I have wondered how she likes no communion.

Since we easterners don't sin, we won't need any confession aids.

Our eastern liturgies are cancelled, too. I was taught that the Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Praises, is the official prayer of the church and is equivalent to a mass. It's too bad the hours have fallen into disuse in the west. I think the priests and monastics are about the only ones who pray them.

We do have Typica or Reader's Service so I will be reading that instead of watching streamed masses. Although there are some Byzantine liturgies being streamed.

Communion in the hand: The west did that for around 400 years so it is not any kind of novel or new invention. Easterners receive by a form of intinction which I believe even the westerners are forbidden to receive in the hand. So do intinction and the problem no longer exists.

If communion on the tongue is so bad, why do we make a spiritual communion with our tongue rather than our hands?

My biggest fear as a church musician is that I am starting to enjoy not playing and directing. No diva singers, no whining to hear, no backbiting, no crazy Trads arguing about positioning deck chairs on the Titanic, and no jockeying for perceived influence. I'm getting to enjoy a generally more peaceful life. Although I must admit those who occupy themselves with trying to gain influence and position in a Catholic church are somewhat akin to those fighting for the position of towel monitor in hell. Too many teapot tempests and tilting at windmills. I could start to really like this.

Back to this interrupted by a call. Of course we all know that I will be back when masses resume. The mighty Schantz is like a loyal dog waiting for my return. I love music but I hate it. That may make sense to other musicians.

Who knows? I don't think anyone is 100% sure how all this will turn out.

My husband and I are already talking about how grateful we are that we got to go to this or that place one time, or meet such and such person once, or do this or that adventure one time...before the End. I may very well never travel abroad again, which means never seeing my family again. We may not have any income in a short time. Who knows? And yet we know many people who are in much more dire straights than us, in various ways. It's sobering, and makes us take good account of everything we do.