By Their Fruits: The 2021 Prayer Pledge // Day 23

Reflect

Traditionally, Saturdays are dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. As we conclude our meditations on the Fruits of the Sorrowful Mysteries, we can ask Our Lady of Sorrows for the grace to give ourselves—mind, will, and heart—to God.

Simeon had prophesied to Mary that "a sword of sorrow will pierce your heart and the thoughts of hearts would be revealed” (Luke 2:35). We can ask our Mother Mary to open our hearts and to help us to be healed and made whole. As our most tender and wise Mother, Mary looks at us, her daughters, and knows exactly how to guide us safely to Heaven.

In our pain, our sorrows, our wandering, and our joyful, glorious, or luminous moments of life, we can look to Mary. She desires to help us to become freer as children of God (see Romans 8:1). In a particular way, under her title of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary has helped countless people to receive the grace to recognize and name the spiritual enemies threatening their peace and joy.

Let us ask for this grace, too.

“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

When we look on Him, we receive the Holy Spirit's gifts, especially that of courage so that, when we must practice self-denial for the sake of love, we will have everything we need to live the situation in grace. #BISblog #prayerpledge //Click to tweet

Let Us Pray

Our Lady of Sorrows, help us name the particular obstacles to grace that obstruct our spiritual journey. Mary, help us to repent of the ways we have allowed these obstacles to take root in our lives. In the Name of Jesus Christ, we ask to be freed, and we have full confidence in Christ's power to save. By His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin and the grave; therefore, we have nothing to fear. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!

For Discussion

Which Fruit of the Sorrowful Mysteries struck you most this week? How is Jesus inviting you more deeply into living out that fruit?

Who in your life has been a faithful companion in the midst of your suffering? Thank the Lord for them.

Praying the Rosary

Throughout the Prayer Pledge and beyond, we really encourage you to pray the Rosary! Since we will be looking at the fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary, it only makes sense to actually pray it!

Here is a guide on how to pray the Rosary.

I like this podcast and this podcast for praying the Rosary.

Hallow also has a marvelous Rosary meditation.

And if you want to go even deeper in to the Rosary, check out Mystery!

By Their Fruits: The 2021 Prayer Pledge // Day 23 #BISblog #prayerpledge //Click to tweet

About Sister Maria Kim Bui

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Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi, after twenty years in religious life, is discerning a call to found a community of consecrated religious women dedicated to Our Lady and who will pray reparation for sins against the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, pray for conversions, and work for the evangelization of those who have left the Church or feel furthest from the Church.