Can anyone explain this to me?

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conrad979

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I hope this is in the right forum - I am curently in RCIA, and I have a couple of questions - I hope that is ok.

I went to a wonderful and very moving Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe on 12th December. They were giving out small cards of her image there. I’ve stuck it to my kitchen wall so I see it every time I go in there, and I say a Hail Mary. First, is that okay? And it is fine to say a Hail Mary outwith the context of a Rosary? May I check that I’m right in thinking that when I pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe, I am praying to Mary, mother of Christ, but with a special intention for the unborn? Is that right and it’s Mary? I think I’m in danger of getting confused. Also, I just realised today that I have been praying to Mary (Hail Mary…), when I see the image, but I haven’t been praying to God specifically at the same time - for example, I don’t have a crucifix in my home to do something similar. Does this matter, or should I do this first? Obviously I am aware of the relationship betweeen Mary and Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but as all of this is quite new to me (I am from an Anglican tradition), I don’t want to do anything inappropriate.

Ps - Thank you for the question about the Easter vigil, I’d been wondering what happened. I am excited, but also very nervous.
 
First of all, welcome home! I hope you’re enjoying learning about the rich faith tradition of the Catholic Church.

I’m no expert, but I’d say you’re in the clear in general. Saying a Hail Mary is perfectly appropriate, whether or not it’s in the context of the rosary. The more, the better! Any prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe (or Our Lady of insert apparition here) is a prayer to Mary. You’ll notice that the entire point of the Hail Mary is to ask her to pray to God on your behalf. Thus, you are still praying to God, but with the added benefit of having Mary pray to God for you as well. The crucifix itself is not necessary, but it is a great reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. If it gives you more comfort, you might try adding an Our Father after the Hail Mary. That way, you’re praying once asking for intercession and a second time directly to God. Just a thought.

I hope that I didn’t confuse things even more for you with this answer. Either way, God bless you on your journey!

-CK
 
It’s good to remind yourself to pray by having a visible representation…
Part of the first half of the Hail Mary was said on its own, by Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, when Mary visited her during their pregnancies. "Now as soon as Elizabeth hear Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ("Luke chapter 1, verse 41-42]

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women” (Luke 1:28) was the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to Mary,“Hail”, literally means “Rejoice”, “Be glad”.

More of the 'Hail Mary prayer was added, for instance during the Council of Trent…

So you see, the Hail Mary prayer hasn’t always been, and doesn’t have to be, associated with the Rosary.

God bless you. 🙂
 
Something to keep in mind:

We only pray to Mary because of God. Without God, and without Jesus, Mary would be no one, just another Jewish girl who lived and died without any significant contribution to history. To see Mary as being important enough to ask for her intercession is in and of itself glorifying God.

Being an artist, I love relating the situation as though God were an artist, and Mary His greatest piece of art. By praising that artwork, you automatically praise the artist. What’s more, any artist would prefer that your attention focus on his artwork - after all, that’s why any good artist creates something, for others to enjoy, not to make something of himself. So to make an effort to praise Mary and the other Saints, we are making an effort to praise God.
 
All that you say to Mary, she gives to her Son. The Hail Mary is a prayer of the Incarnation of Jesus. The beginning is taken from the Gospel of Luke. The second part asks for her to pray for us.

As for the picture, I have pictures of my deceased mother and brother. I talk to them. I know they can hear me. It is good to have pictures to remind us.

May God bless you in your journey.
 
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