Prayer of the Month: Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Such a simple prayer.  It’s one of the first prayers we learn as children.  For many Catholics, this is the prayer we turn to when we need to pray but we’re too tired, frightened, or stressed to think of anything else.

And yet is says so much.

Mary was chosen especially for Jesus and was blessed to carry Him in her womb.  (DH thought this line a bit unseemly until I gently reminded him that he’s the fruit of somebody’s womb too.)  And because Mary has such a special role in the Church, she prays for all of us – now and when we will most need it.  No wonder this is one of the prayers we teach to small children.

This is the prayer we use when we’re in dire need, and I bet Mary wouldn’t have it any other way.

Prayer of the Month: Memorare

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection,
implored Thy help or sought Thine intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother;
to Thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me.

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help or sought Thine intercession, was left unaided.  Never was it known.  That’s a mighty strong word, but it’s a true word.   The Blessed Mother has never, can never, will never let anybody down.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.  She won’t let you down because she’s not just Jesus’ mother, she’s our mother too.  And unlike our actual mothers, she is without sin, unable to turn away her children.

to Thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  Sinful and sorrowful.  I feel that way when I stand next to Mary.   It’s not even that I can’t measure up to her – nobody can.  But like any mother, she expects us to do our best (that’s our best, not hers) and whenever I say this prayer, I think of the ways I have failed to be my best and know that the Blessed Mother is disappointed.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me.  Despite all our failings, we come to Mary with our troubles.  And as the mother of us all, she will give us what we need.