# Mary, Undoer of Knots – Prayer for the Poor and Sick
*2015-08-18*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Louis of Toulouse, a young bishop‑Franciscan saint, and leads a prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots, asking for deliverance from sin and for the needs of the poor and sick.

## St. Louis of Toulouse – A Brief Portrait

Good morning. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer at Lunch podcast. Today is Tuesday, August 18th, the feast day of St. Louis of Toulouse. He was a bishop, a Franciscan, and a saint—all before the age of 23. Born into royalty, he chose to renounce his inheritance to serve the poor and the sick. By the age of 20 he was ordained a priest, and at 22 he became a bishop. Even as a bishop he gave away 75 % of his income to the needy and invited 25 poor families to share his table.

## Prayer for the Poor and Sick

Let us now pray for today’s poor, the sick, and especially children who are suffering from disease. May God’s mercy reach them in their need.

## Mary, Undoer of Knots – Prayer

Through the grace of your intercession and your example, deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. Untie the knots that keep us from union with God, that we may be freed from sin and error, that we may find Him in all things, that our hearts may be placed in Him, and that we may always serve Him through our brothers and sisters. Amen.

*St. Louis reminds us that true wealth lies in giving ourselves to the poor, and Mary, Undoer of Knots, helps us untie the obstacles that keep us from that love.*