Support those affected by the Mexico City Earthquake

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A second earthquake has hit Mexico on Tuesday, September 19, destroying buildings and homes. The 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed more than 200 people, and the death toll is rising.

Catholic Relief Services–along with partners–has been responding in Mexico following the September 7 earthquake, focusing on shelter repairs and immediate relief to vulnerable families in isolated areas outside of Mexico City.

After this second earthquake, we continue to assess the needs and help with recovery, rebuilding and support for the survivors of these two deadly disasters.

Give today to help your brothers and sisters affected by the earthquakes in Mexico. Your gift will help provide emergency supplies.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the following statement to the people of Mexico:

Once again, our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters in Mexico, who yesterday suffered yet another catastrophic earthquake, on the anniversary of the 1985 earthquake that claimed the lives of thousands of people. The states principally affected were Morelos, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Mexico State, and the capital, Mexico City.  

Today Pope Francis at his General Audience expressed his solidarity with the Mexican people, and implored 'Almighty God to welcome all those who lost their lives.' The Mexican bishops expressed their condolences to all those affected, and highlighted the generous fraternal affection the nation is witnessing in the response and rescue efforts: 'Once again, we are witnessing the solidarity of the Mexican people, who sees a brother and sister in those who are suffering.'

We join them in prayer and solidarity, and together invoke the maternal protection of our Lady of Guadalupe, Comforter of the Afflicted and Mother Most Merciful.

A Prayer for After an Earthquake

Lord, at times such as this, 
     when we realize that the ground beneath our feet  
     is not as solid as we had imagined,
     we plead for your mercy.

As the things we have built crumble about us,
     we know too well how small we truly are
     on this ever-changing, ever-moving,
     fragile planet we call home.
Yet you have promised never to forget us.

Do not forget us now.

Today, so many people are afraid.
They wait in fear of the next tremor.
They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.
They roam the streets in shock at what they see.
And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief
     and the names of missing dead.

Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
     and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist.

Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
     and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.

Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,
     we who watch from afar,
     as the poorest on this side of the earth
     find only misery upon misery.

Move us to act swiftly this day,
     to give generously every day,
     to work for justice always,
     and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.

And once the shaking has ceased,
     the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,
     and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings,
     let us not forget that we are all your children
     and they, our brothers and sisters.

We are all the work of your hands.

For though the mountains leave their place
     and the hills be tossed to the ground,
     your love shall never leave us,
     and your promise of peace will never be shaken.
     Our help is in the name of the Lord,
     who made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord,
     now and forever.

Amen

--

Sources: CRS.org and USCCB.org

'Prayer After An Earthquake' Copyright © 2010, Diana Macalintal, Diocese of San Jose, CA. Used with permission. 

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons