S&F-Prayer of the Week: The Hail Mary

 The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

This week I am focusing on one of the most beautiful of our prayers, The Hail Mary.  The words were taken from the Gospel of Luke, combining the words of the Angel Gabriel with the tribute that Elizabeth said to Mary during the Visitation.

This prayer, both honors and venerates Mary, the Mother of God.

I wish we used this prayer more.  The part that really stands out to me when I say it daily as part of the Rosary is the last two lines.

I can think of no other time in life that is full of unknown than the last hours of our life before death.  No one knows what is next.  It must have a sense of fear.  And in this time I think we are vulnerable to the influence of Satan.  So who better to ask to bring us comfort and guidance to the next step in everlasting life than our Spiritual Mother, Mary.  

I will continue to pray to Mary.  I will hope she is there at the final moment of my earthly life.  I hope she is with you as well.