Jose Cardinal Advincula has called on the faithful to offer El Niño prayers amid forecasts of intense heat and the potentially severe effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Archbishop of Manila directed all parishes and communities under the Archdiocese of Manila to recite the Oratio Imperata ad Petendam Pluviam, or Prayer for Rain, during Eucharistic celebrations.
The special prayer will be recited after the Post-Communion Prayer beginning Sunday, November 8, and will continue until further notice.
According to Cardinal Advincula, it is important for the faithful to unite in prayer and entrust their needs to God during periods of environmental uncertainty and hardship.
He emphasized that collective prayer serves as a source of hope and spiritual strength as communities prepare for the potential impact of prolonged heat and reduced rainfall.
The Cardinal also encouraged priests, catechists, religious educators, and those involved in Christian formation to use the occasion to deepen awareness among the faithful about their responsibility to care for and protect the environment.
He said the call to prayer should be accompanied by a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices that help mitigate the effects of climate-related challenges.
Church leaders have increasingly promoted ecological awareness in recent years, urging communities to combine faith-based action with responsible care for creation in response to worsening climate conditions.
