EDITORIAL - Oratio imperata

One Latin phrase that seems to have found itself unto almost every Catholic faithful’s lips is Oratio Imperata. Literally, the term means mandated prayer. In times of calamities, the Roman Catholic Church sometimes issues an oratio imperata to seek divine intervention.

Recently, several Filipino bishops, including Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, issued calls for the public to pray for rain as the country heads for one of its worst droughts brought on by the El Niño phenomenon.

The oratio imperata was supposed to be invoked last Sunday, but a check with several sources showed the mandated prayer was said in some churches but not in others. Nevertheless, it appears that what few prayers may have been said last Sunday may have worked actually.

Several places in Cebu reported rains that Sunday. In those places that experienced it, the rains came in varying intensities. Some reported heavy but short-lived rains that came with strong gusts of wind. Other places reported only minor showers.

On Monday, clear blue skies dominated Cebu. But on Tuesday, many Cebuanos again woke up to moderate rains. And while these rains were not heavy enough to replace the depleted aquifers, they were enough to soothe the parched earth.

As this was written, most of Tuesday morning was overcast over Cebu, with sporadic showers occurring here and there. From the looks of it, it would not be surprising if the rains, sporadic though they may be, covered the entire day.

This is not, however, about the weather, as the weather bureau most certainly would have an explanation for the rains in the middle of El Niño. This is more about prayer and whether it really works.

Some prayers are enticed, as in candles sold by the color of a specified intent. Others seem frivolous, as in releasing prayer balloons toward the heavens. Yet, whatever the method or intent, people do pray.

Now, whether prayers are in fact answered or whether prayers really do work, that will have to depend on the kind of person you are. To those who believe, no proof is necessary, to those who do not believe, no proof is enough.