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| The Annunciation by Philippe de Champaigne (Photo Credit: Wikipedia) |
Great idea
A devotion to Our Lady is an essential element of the faith I, too, want to pass on to my children. (A reflection from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI says being Catholic means being Marian.) And so, I go to a favorite and oft-mentioned book, The Handbook of Indulgences. Why not memorize a prayer that is efficacious and provides graces!
For the very young, there is
Maria, Mater gratiae, A Child's Prayer to Mary
Mary, mother whom we bless,
full of grace and tenderness,
defend me from the devil's power
and greet me in my dying hour.
And,
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me.
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Find more Marian prayers (which adults can memorize too!) at Allison Girone's blog, Totus Tuus Family & Homeschool.
Thanks for the prayers, Allison. I never memorized the Memorare as a child and still stumble over the words when I say it. The first prayer is entirely new to me. I confess that I rarely think of indulgences when choosing what prayers to say or to teach my kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie. It's something I have to remind myself of, too. I can still stumble over the act of contrition but my kids seem to memorize easily. I carry a little prayer book in my handbag. It belonged to my Father's mother and that helps my forgetfulness and is a touchstone to my grandmother. As for indulgenced prayers, besides having such meaning they truly are beautiful. I really recommend that Handbook of Indulgences to every Catholic.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend.