Mary and Our Crying Out for Mercy
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
C alling Upon the Name of Mary
In a prior conference, the focus is on the Mystery and Greatness of the Name of Mary. In this conference the focus is placed on Calling Upon the Name of Mary. Specifically, Mary and Our Crying Out for Mercy.
Why Do We Pray to Mary?
It is almost inevitable when we talk to non-Christians the following question arises. Why do you Christian pray to Mary? Why can’t I pray directly to Jesus? These questions imply that one prays to Mary or Jesus. This is not actually the case!
To answer this question, the structure of the Litany of Loreto will be used to help explain. This Litany begins with an address to the Lord. Lord Have Mercy…Christ have Mercy…etc. The first six phrases of the prayer call upon the Lord. After doing this, the Blessed Trinity is called upon for mercy and to hear us. It is only after praying to the Lord, that the prayer turns to and speaks to Our Lady. At the conclusion, we then turn to the Lord. The conclusion of the prayer is addressed to God the Father.
Praying to Mary Fits Within Our Relationship With Our Lord
What does the prayer teach us? Our calling upon the name of Mary is not “instead of” or “in addition to” our calling upon Our Lord. Our calling upon Mary is an action that fits within our relationship with Christ. It fits within the way we call upon and pray to Our Lord.
How marvelous calling upon Mary in our prayer! It fits within our relationship with God. We turn to Our Lady to ask for her aid in seeking the Lord’s mercy. When we seek the mercy of God, we raise our eyes to Heaven, calling upon the Lord to come in His power, His goodness and His mercy. In this prayer…in this cry to God, we sound a Marian note. Not as something additional, but as something within the prayer.
In the conference, Saint Louis de Montfort’s thoughts on crying out for help is reviewed. Listen to this audio Calling Upon the Name of Mary to assist you in your understanding on why we pray to Mary. We believe the content of the conference will impact your Spiritual Prayer Life.
Calling Upon the Name of Mary
Note: *
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