# Our Lady of the Green Scapular
*2008-02-19*

> Bill Young shares a personal reflection on finding peace through the Green Scapular after a difficult day and offers a prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

## Finding Peace in a Rough Day

I had one of those rough days today. Early on, I got very upset with my son and said something under my breath that I shouldn't have; he heard it and, of course, immediately told my wife. Later, I was having a personal conversation with my son that my wife overheard, which upset her as well. I felt tormented for most of the day.

## The Green Scapular

Earlier, I had received the Green Scapular in the mail from Sister Claire of the Daughters of Charity. This evening, I put that scapular around my neck, and I felt an immediate sense of inner peace. I wanted to share that experience with you. For those interested, you can find more information through the Daughters of Charity.

## Intentions and Intercession

I would like to dedicate today's prayer for John, who is undergoing an operation tomorrow. May God, the Holy Spirit, Mary, and all the saints be with him to help and guide him. I also dedicate this prayer for my son Greg and my son's wife, Pat.

## Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Oh most pure Virgin, I venerate your most holy heart which was delighted and resting in the presence of God, a heart filled with humility, purity, and divine love. I, a poor sinner, come to you with my heart full of earth and wounds. O Mother of mercy, do not reject me because of this, but rather have an ever greater compassion for me and help me. Do not seek merits and virtues in me to help me, for I am lost and merit nothing. I beg you to look upon the trust I have in you and my desire to be purified.

Consider what Jesus has done and suffered for me, and do not abandon me. I offer you all the sufferings of His life: the cold shiver in the stable, the journey to Egypt, the blood poured out, the poverty, the hard work, the sadness He experienced, and the death which He suffered for my sake in your presence. For the love of Jesus, serve to help me.

Oh my Mother, I no longer fear that I will be rejected now that I have come to you to ask for your help. If I doubted that you would help me, I would insult your mercy, which stretches for the afflicted in order to help them. My Lady, do not deny mercy to those whom Jesus did not deny His blood. If you commend my soul to God, the benefits which I will receive through the merits of His blood shall be greater.

My hope of salvation is in you. I seek neither riches, honors, nor earthly gains; I seek rather the grace of God, the love of your Son, obedience to His will, and paradise, so that I may love Jesus in eternity. Surely you will hear my prayer. Yes, I am sure that you have already heard me, are already praying for me, already granting me the graces I have requested, and already accept me under your motherly protection. Mother, do not leave me. Continue to pray for me until you see me saved in heaven at your feet, blessing and thanking you for eternity. Amen.

*Even in the midst of a tormented day, we can find inner peace through the intercession of Mary and the use of sacramentals.*