Recently thousands of people walked the annual Darkness into Light memorial. It is a magnificent moment of solidarity emphasizing together we are stronger. Faith and spirituality enhance our well-being and mental health it gives us a wider lens, a bigger picture and anoints us with an inner confidence that “All will be Well.”
It’s a rare occasion to visit a church privately and wonder why so many candles are lighting in front of an image of Mary mother of Jesus. This iconic lady, rich in grace and empathy holds dear to all our hearts. I’m very conscious as we move through the month of May, many of these candles will be for young students preparing for state examinations during the coming weeks.
Canon Sydney Alfred MacEwan (19 October 1908 – 25 September 1991) was a famous Scottish priest who was gifted with an exceptional tenor singing voice, and who sang traditional Scottish and Irish songs. Probably his most famous recording is the Marian hymn ‘Bring flowers of the Rarest’ written by Mary E. Walsh. The hymn was first published as the “Crowning Hymn” in the Wreath of Mary 1871/1883 and later in St. Basil’s hymnal (1889). The hymn is synonymous with Marian processions and devotions in the month of May.
The month of May traditionally is associated with devotion to Mary mother of Jesus. Mary holds such an important part not just in the life of Jesus, but in the tradition of our Christian culture. Her courageous “Yes” when invited to partake, in one of the great mysteries in the history of our salvation, continues to resonate with a deep sense of hope and grace. Mary is an iconic woman, courageous, contemplative and deeply empathetic to all humanity. Mary knew the vicissitudes of what it is to rare a family. Her kindness and empathy are close to us especially in this beautiful month of May.
The late Pope Francis, has talked about this devotion and how Mary’s faith “unties the knot of sin.” We, too, can be bound by our own disobedience, Pope Francis explained. When we do not follow God’s will for our lives, “a kind of knot is created deep within us.” These knots take away our peace and serenity. They are dangerous, since many knots can form a tangle which gets increasingly painful and difficult to undo. But we know one thing: nothing is impossible for God’s mercy! Even the most tangled knots are loosened by his grace. And Mary, whose yes opened the door for God to undo the knot of the ancient disobedience, is the Mother who patiently and lovingly brings us to God, so that he can untangle the knots of our soul by his fatherly mercy.
The Knot in My Life.
What are these “knots of our soul”? Knots of financial stress, wayward children, addiction, illness, depression, divorce, stress, health issues, unemployment. . .. Most of us are dealing with at least one large knot. Not all of them are the result of our own sin. Some are simply the painful situations that come from living in a fallen world. Whatever their cause, the knots can become so entangled that we fall into a sort of despair that they will ever be undone. The knots of our hearts, every knot of our conscience, can be undone. Do I ask Mary to help me trust in God’s mercy, to undo those knots, to change? She, as a woman of faith, will surely tell you: “Get up; go to the Lord: he understands you.” And she leads us by the hand as a Mother, our Mother, to the embrace of our Father, the Father of mercies.
Nothing Will Be Impossible. What knot in your life is creating pain for you? Turn over your problem to Mary. As she works on the knot, she will point you to Jesus. He tells us in no uncertain terms never to limit what God can do: “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
Prayer to Our Lady Undoer of Knots
Holy Mary, full of God’s presence,
during your life you accepted the Father’s will with full humility,
and the devil was never able to tie you up with his confusion.
Since then, you have interceded for all our difficulties,
as you did at the wedding feast of Cana.
Full of kindness and patience, you show us how to untie the knots of our lives.
By always being our mother, you arrange and clarify the ties that link us to the Lord.
Holy Mary, Mother of God and of us all,
you untie the knots of our lives with a mother’s heart.
We place our intentions in your hands [mention your prayer request],
and we ask you to disentangle every knot and confusion.
Through your grace, intercession, and example, protect us from all evil,
and untie the knots that keep us from being united to God.
Free from confusion and error, may we find him in all things,
keep our hearts in him and serve him always in our brothers and sisters.
Amen.
The following prayer is most appropriate in this month of May. Mary in her warm affection remains close to us all.
Prayer to Our Blessed Mother (for those who are growing old)
Take my hand O Blessed Mother,
Hold me firmly lest I fall.
I am nervous when I am walking,
and to thee, I humbly call.
Guide me over every crossing,
Watch me when I’m on the stairs.
Let me know you are beside me,
Listen to my fervent prayer.
Bring me to my destination,
With you safely every day.
Please help me with each undertaking
As the hours pass away.
And when the evening falls on upon me,
And I fear to be alone,
Take my hand O Blessed Mother,
Please stay with me in my home.
Amen