When considering the splendor and holiness of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we can examine our own inner life today: whether we are open and docile to the graces and inspirations of the Holy Spirit; whether we zealously guard our heart from everything that could separate it from God; whether we uproot the small grudges, the envies… that tend to nest within it. We know that words and deeds will speak of its richness or poverty, for the good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things.
From Our Lady, graces of forgiveness, mercy, and help in times of need flow in torrents… Therefore, we ask her today to give us a pure, human heart, one that is understanding of the flaws of those around us, kind to everyone, capable of empathizing with pain in whatever circumstance we find it, and always ready to help anyone in need. "Mater Pulchrae dilectionis, Mother of Fair Love, pray for us! Teach us to love God and our brothers and sisters as you have loved them: grant that our love for others may always be patient, kind, respectful (…), grant that our joy may always be authentic and full, so that we may communicate it to everyone," and especially to those to whom the Lord has willed that we be united by stronger bonds.
We recall today how, when needs have been pressing, the Church and her children have turned to the Sweetest Heart of Mary to consecrate the world, nations, or families. We have always had the intuition that only in her Sweet Heart are we safe. Today, we hand over to her, once more, all that we are and all that we have. We leave in her lap the good days and those that seem bad, illnesses, weaknesses, work, weariness and rest, and the noble ideals that the Lord has placed in our soul; we especially place in her hands our journey toward Christ, so that She may preserve it from all dangers and guard it with tenderness and strength, as mothers do. Cor Mariae dulcissimum, iter para tutum—Sweetest Heart of Mary, prepare for me…, prepare for them a safe path.
We end our prayer by asking the Lord, with the liturgy of the Mass: Lord, our God, who made the Immaculate Heart of Mary a dwelling place for your Son and a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, give us a clean and docile heart, so that, always submissive to your commands, we may love you above all things and help our brothers and sisters in their needs.
HCD