Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Mary, and getting a jump start in doing our job: Prayers of the Faithful

There are two really important words in the Ave Maria —the Hail Mary prayer.

NOW. Pray for us sinners, NOW.

And at the hour of our DEATH.

Because there are really only two important times in our lives. NOW. And when we are approaching the final "now."

Not everyone prays the Hail Mary.

Sad, but true. And yet—aside from The Lord's Prayer—this one doesn't get any better. Our job is to get people to Heaven.

So here's what I propose (and many priests already do this):

When concluding the prayers of the faithful—or, as they're also called, the Offertory Intercessions—why not make it a habit to vocally implore Our Lady to intercede for us...to add her wonderful voice... in that amazing prayer called the "Ave Maria?"

Think about it. Not only are you asking Mary to pray for you, but, if everyone prays to her, well...everyone is asking for the same thing:

"Pray for us sinners NOW, and at the hour of our DEATH."

I mean, really. Jesus never denied His Mother anything. That's why the "Hail Mary" is such a great prayer! And if, for whatever reasons, our brethren (to say nothing of our sisthren) aren't in the habit of using this magnificent prayer, what is to stop our celebrants from leading the assembly in doing so?

Pray about this. And maybe encourage your pastor to do the same.

May God, through the intercession of His Mother, Mary, continue to bless you.