O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
![The_Plague_at_Ashdod](http://www.ststeve.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nicolas_Poussin_-_The_Plague_at_Ashdod_-_WGA18274-1024x752.jpg)
The Plague at Ashdod, by Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665). From Wikipedia.