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The St. Francis of Assisi Adult Education center is hosting a Winter/Spring Semester in 2021.  The upcoming semester will be completely held on zoom.

Classes are posted online here:  www.stfrancisnyc.org/courses/

A Week of Prayer to Mary, Untier of Knots will be held from Monday to Friday, February 8-12, after the 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM Masses.

Here is the novena prayer for this week:

Introduction

The devotion to Mary, Untier of Knots was inspired by a painting created in 1700 for the Church of St. Peter am Perlach in Augsburg, Germany. In the image, Mary stands above a crescent moon, crushing a serpent under her foot. An angel passes a knotted white ribbon to Mary who unties knots in the ribbon. Another angel receives the smooth, unknotted portion.

Both the painting and the devotion to Mary, Untier of Knots, trace their roots to the second-century bishop, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. Referring to Mary’s role as the Second Eve, Saint Irenaeus wrote that “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what Eve had bound fast through unbelief, thus did Mary set free through faith”  (Against Heresies).

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us pray for those who are having difficulty with the knots of their lives.

For those having marriage troubles, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those beset by financial problems, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those struggling to find employment, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For thos

e suffering from illness, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those dealing with loneliness, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those burdened with fears and worries, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those fighting addictions or behavioral problems, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those suffering discord in their families, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those overwhelmed by anguish or despair, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those victimized by violence or neglect, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those targeted by racism or discrimination, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those struggling to let go of grudges, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

For those seeking to make peace, we pray… Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

N

ow with confidence in God who hears us and helps us in all our struggles, we ask Mary to join our prayer:

Holy Mary, full of the presence of God,

during your life you accepted with great humility

the holy will of the Father

and the legacy of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evil never entangled you with its confusion.

As you did the young couple at the wedding feast of Cana,

you have interceded for all of our difficulties

With simplicity and patience,

you have given us an example of how to untangle

the knots in our complicated lives.

By being our mother forever,

you arrange and make clear the path that unites us to Our Lord.

Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother,

untie the knots that upset our lives.

Receive us into your hands,

as well as those for whom we pray,

and deliver us from the chains and confusion that restrain us.

Blessed Virgin Mary, through your grace, your intercession

and by your example, deliver us from evil,

and untie the knots that keep us from being united to God

so that free of all confusion and error,

we may find Him in all things,

keep Him in our hearts,

and serve Him always in our brothers and sisters.

Amen.