We live in interesting times. No matter where you stand politically, the speed of change we’re seeing is breathtaking. There seems to be more hope in America as we see pride flags replaced by “In God We Trust” on government buildings and various government officials and cabinet members acknowledging God and openly praying.
But I do wonder, how much better can the world really get, if people don’t actually change? There is no salvation in politics, after all. It is only through Christ, and living according to His Word and His law that we will see meaningful and lasting peace—both in the world and within ourselves, where peace needs to start.
So, as we eagerly await the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, promised at Fatima, each of us must take the initiative to get it started right now, in our hearts, in our homes and in our communities.
Starting in your heart
Take a deep, introspective look at the state of your own heart. Is it filled with bitterness, anger, judgment, resentment, anxiety and worry? What is the source? Old wounds that have not been healed? Past trauma that gets triggered and sets off a chain reaction of emotions and emotional outbursts? Bad habits and a lack of awareness of your feelings and how you express them?
Take it to the confessional
… all of it. Take some quiet time to do a thorough examination of conscience and make a good confession. The benefits of a good confession are not only the forgiveness of your sins (the most important), but the grace to overcome those weaknesses and habits that lead you to sin. Why try to do it yourself when an abundance of heavenly graces are available to help you? You don’t have to do it alone with only the power of your will. There is supernatural power you can tap into.
Look at your home
What’s the culture like in your house? Are family members at odds? Do you communicate well? Do you verbally and in other ways let your family know you love them each as individuals? Or is everyone siloed on their devices simply coexisting? Is there anger and acrimony? Are there divisions and serious disagreements? Is someone a scapegoat?
Your role
What role do you play in your family drama? This is a two-part question:
a. What is your proper role? Are you the mother, the father, the spouse, a sibling, a child? What is rightfully expected of your role?
It’s so easy to get angry at your spouse, your kids, your parents, your siblings…but are you living up to the rightful expectations they have for you?
b. What role are you playing in the problems?
Are you detached, doing your own thing, focused on your own needs to the exclusion of others? Are you taking more responsibility than you should for what others should be doing (i.e. the classic enabler), and allowing them to shirk their own responsibilities? Are other family members resentful and jealous of your actions? Are you the antagonist or the passive aggressor? Are you the “victim” or martyr?
Living within your proper role is crucial to a happy family. When everyone knows what to expect, there is more harmony…like musicians working from the same score. The strings, the horns, the drums all have their own parts to play. But when one or more instruments go rogue, the sound becomes chaotic. The same happens when someone is not living up to and within their expected role—family chaos happens too.
Family patterns can be complicated and it can be hard, from within the family, to see where things are going astray. Working with a Catholic therapist, who can look from the outside in, can shed new light and help everyone to find their place and correct imbalances that can aid in healing and restoring peace and harmony.
Now, take a look at your community
What is the culture of your community? This includes your extended family, your friends, your neighbors and your coworkers.
Do the people you spend time with display good values? Do they work together or is there a lot of backbiting, gossip and resentment?
What is your role in your extended community? Do you try to establish peace? Do you live forgiveness and try to understand and excuse the faults of others? Do you pray for those who get under your skin or even actively try to hurt you? Or do you respond in kind?
What would you like your community to be like? Really think about that.
What is the first thing you can do to bring that to fruition? Can you be the first person to forgive or to take on responsibility for the good of the group? Can you bring a sense of humor to bear? Can you introduce beauty in some way? Can you be the one who encourages others, who tries to see the good in them, to lift them up to reach a higher standard? Can you take the time to really listen to them? Can you be more present to them and make them feel loved?
Focus on what you can control
The greatest aid to deep inner peace is accepting and focusing on what you can control, and letting go of worry, and manipulation to get others to do what you want or think they should do. The only thing you can control is what you do and what you say. You can’t control how you feel, but you can work on the way you think to manage and guide your feelings more effectively. Understanding this is the key.
So, resolve to imitate the virtues of Mary. Make good use of the confessional during Lent (and all year long), pray for your enemies and those who hurt you and act like the person you ultimately want to become…you know, fake it till you make it. Consecrate yourself to Mary and let her work through you.
The Triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart in the World starts with us allowing her Immaculate Heart to triumph in our own hearts.
So, let’s get started.
Allison is also the Founder and President of www.CatholicTherapists.com, and CatholicLifeCoaches.com, which provide nationwide networks of screened and dedicated Catholic therapists and Catholic life coaches.
- Ep. 352 How Do You Know What God Wants? - August 19, 2026
- Ep. 351 Is Your Therapist Reinforcing a Victim Mentality? - August 12, 2026
- Hate the Sin but Love the Sinner…Do We Have That Backwards? - August 12, 2026
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