It’s something that we like to think of as only happening in the history books, that with all our advancements in technology and medicine, it certainly can’t happen to us here and now - that a disease could sweep through a community and cause such serious illness, death, isolation, economic loss and fear. But as we hear the reports about the spread of the coronavirus and feel its devastating effects in big and small ways, we are once again reminded how fragile we are.

Our community was first made aware of the virus through some of our sisters who have family in Vietnam and reported that the streets were deserted during the Asian New Year - people dashed out only when absolutely necessary, donning masks as they went, and then hurried home again. Then we learned through our friars that travels to and from Europe were being postponed or canceled. News and prayer requests came in as family and friends located around the country and the world were being affected in various ways - sickness, isolation, economic hardships due to disruption or loss of business, and fear of the unknown.

It is at times like this that a cloistered nun is impelled to more closely unite herself to her Divine Spouse and, like Queen Esther, intercede more ardently for the life of her people.

Some may mistakenly believe that we are isolated from all the suffering of the world, locked inside the security of cloister walls. But as Queen Esther realized, being inside a palace does not guarantee safety from affliction and distress - rather, it places us in a more unique position to intercede for the needs of others. We are deeply aware of our blessings - to continue to have the gift of daily Mass and reception of the Eucharist, to spend time in prayer and adoration before our Eucharistic Lord - these and many other graces are gifts people around the world deeply long for and cannot receive at this time, or even worse, they do not realize the infinite treasure of these things and so do not desire them.

And so, as cloistered nuns, we feel more keenly the isolation, the fear, the suffering of all, and we carry these sufferings in our heart before our Lord in prayer…

…especially during the liturgy, our reception of the Eucharist, and our time of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. We remember the sick and those most vulnerable - our young and our elderly. We remember those who care for them. We beg protection for chaplains and ministers who reach out with God’s mercy to those most in need. We also intercede for medical personnel, first responders and for their families. We ask for knowledge and wisdom on behalf of medical researchers and developers and our civil leaders. We lift up in compassion those experiencing loneliness, hardships and temptations to frustration, anxiety and fear as schools and businesses close, people are compelled to remain homebound, or are stranded away from home and loved ones as travel and movement are increasingly restricted. And we remember the souls of the departed that they might be granted eternal rest and their loved ones will be consoled.

In faith, we know that our remembrance and our prayers have powerful effects across the body of Christ - when one member suffers, all suffer, and when one member rejoices, all rejoice. Our contemplative life is wholly apostolic in that we implore God’s grace on behalf of all people. For when the hands and feet of Christ - that is, his priests, apostolic religious and laity - are shackled from service, cloistered communities, as the heart of Christ, burn more ardently with His love. And this love and grace knows no boundaries of space or time - it reaches through walls, across continents, and can pierce and warm the hearts of those most in need of consolation and mercy. This is why the contemplative life is considered the heart of the Church and its most noble part.

As news of the gravity of this disease and its spread reached us, one of our sisters shared with the community a saint and a prayer that her mother taught her to pray against epidemics. St. Rocco has long been venerated in the Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. Coming from a life of privilege, he forsook all to become a pilgrim. During his travels, he came in contact with a community ravaged by the plague and when no one else would serve the sick for fear of catching the deadly disease, he took up the burden. Eventually he too fell ill with the plague and went into the woods to die a hermit. But the dog of a nobleman brought him food everyday and eventually the nobleman, wondering where his dog was going, followed him and discovered Rocco. He brought him out of the woods, gave him proper lodging and Rocco miraculously recovered. His story continues, but because of his selfless mercy and miracles attributed to him, particularly after his death, he is considered a powerful intercessor against epidemic diseases. We share the prayer with you below that our sister shared with us. May our Blessed Mother and Saint Rocco intercede for us. Lord, have mercy on your people us.

Prayer to Saint Rocco

O Lord, you promised that those who run to Saint Rocco and implore his intercessions will be delivered from all epidemics, and you sent an angel to write this promise on a scroll and give it to him. We beg you to preserve our bodies from contagious diseases and our souls from the contagion of sin, by the merits and intercessions of Saint Rocco. Amen.

UPDATE:

EFFECTIVE MARCH 17, 2020:

Due to the “Shelter-in-Place” Order
issued by the Health Officer of San Mateo County
on March 16, 2020, our chapel is currently closed to the public.

During this time of social distancing, we encourage you to keep up your spiritual life by “attending” Mass online (such as the daily Mass being offered by Bishop Barron), reading and meditating on Scripture (daily readings available in print and audio at the USCCB website), making frequent spiritual communions, praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet and prayers, and taking advantage of other online and app faith resources - a wonderful list of linked resources may be found online at the Western Dominican Province’s website.

Please know our community is especially keeping you in our hearts and prayers before the Blessed Sacrament during this time.