Family Prayer Service in Honor of Mary our Blessed Mother In preparation for this prayer service, families could make a home prayer table ( if you haven’t already done so). On the table: Table cloth ( white or some spring colored) Statue or picture of Mary A vase of flowers A candle. Also needed would be strips of ribbon. If you don’t have ribbon, you can use strips of paper, and some markers. The theme of the prayer service is Mary Undoer of Knots. Before beginning the prayer, sit down as a family and talk about the concerns you have, for yourself, your family, your friends. The children may feel some loneliness because of not being able to see and play with friends, missing relatives, grandparents, etc. Birthday parties and sporting events planned and unable to participate. After talking about these issues, invite everyone to take the strips of ribbon/paper and to write one concern on each strip. Once all of the petitions have been written, you are ready to begin the prayer:

Opening Song: Holy is the Name of the Lord: https://youtu.be/KolP_Fmnid0

Opening Prayer: Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary Undoer of Knots

Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the day of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will, and the devil was never capable of tying you up with his confusion.

Once with your Son you interceded for our difficulties, and full of kindness and patience, you gave us example of how to untie the knots in our life. By remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord.

Holy Mother, Mother of God and our Mother, to you who untie with a motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of the person), and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks.

Through your grace, your intercession and your example deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Reading: Luke 1: 26-38 The Annunciation "Holy Mary, Mother of God . . . we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her: she prays for us as she prayed for herself: 'Let it be to me according to your word.

Response to the Reading

While Listening the Litany of Mary https://youtu.be/zuRKMvRlEGU Family members can arrange the ribbons creatively around the statue of Mary. Spend a few moments in quiet prayer

Closing Prayer: Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I come to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To you do we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen.