Each day we renew our Daily Offering through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying for peace in our souls and in the world.
In 1944, the world was in turmoil as the Second World War continued to rage throughout Europe. At the time, it didn’t look like the war would ever end. In response to the never ending violence, Pope Pius XII turned to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for peace in the world as well as in all hearts.
During that year Pius XII established the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 22, the octave day of the feast of the Assumption (now currently the feast of the Queenship of Mary). He hoped this feast would inspire the world to turn to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that her intercession may obtain “peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue.”
Pope Francis has turned to Mary on multiple occasions as well, most recently consecrating Russia and Ukraine to her Immaculate Heart, praying for an end to the armed conflict and peace among nations.
These examples invite us to stay committed to our Daily Offering, beginning each day by praying, “O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day.”
The closer we are to Mary’s heart, the closer we will be to Jesus’ Heart and the more capable we will be in addressing the many challenges facing humanity. It is through these Hearts that peace can reign, in the world as well as in our own heart.
Philip Kosloski
Philip Kosloski is the Digital Content Manager for the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network (USA) and is also a spirituality writer for Aleteia.org and has been featured on such places as The Huffington Post, Crisis Magazine, The Catholic Herald, Catholic Exchange, National Catholic Register and EWTN Radio.
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