An Ancient Prayer for the Current Pandemic

St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) knew something of what it was like to live during an enormous and painful sea change in civilization. Augustine was born and died in Hippo (modern day Annaba), a city on the coast of Algeria. He studied in Carthage (near Tunis) where he took a concubine and fathered a son. Then as a young man he crossed the Mediterranean to teach in Rome and Milan. He led what he himself refers to as a sinful life until his conversion at 32, which he describes in his most famous work, Confessions. He was baptized with his son in 387 in Rome by St Ambrose and returned the next year to Africa. In 410 Rome was sacked by the Goths and it was while Roman civilization was collapsing in the West that Augustine wrote The City of God in installments (416-422). As he lay on his deathbed the invading Vandals were at the gates of Hippo. While we do not know the date of this prayer by a “great sinner who became a great saint” (his life story is well worth reading), the words by this fifth-century bishop can speak to our own dire situation today and help us intercede for others around the globe.

Watch, dear Lord,

with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,

and give thine angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, Lord Christ.

Rest your weary ones.

Bless your dying ones.

Soothe your suffering ones.

Pity your afflicted ones.

Shield your joyous ones.

And all for your love’s sake. Amen.