1. Prayer is a human characteristic and is common to all religions. There are many definitions, but the most common is "a conversation with God."
2. Prayer as dialogue has two aspects: speaking and listening between man and God: on the one hand, man speaks to God, and on the other, man listens to what God says.
3. Prayer as "speaking to God" consists of four elements.
① Prayer of supplication (request)
Often we pray that our requests will be granted.
This is an essential element common to all religions.
② Prayer of gratitude (Thank you)
I am thankful for the many blessings I receive in my daily life.
③ Prayer of praise
We praise God with the emotions that well up within us when we come into contact with what is true, good, and beautiful.
④ Prayer of apology (asking for forgiveness)
It is a good thing to admit your mistakes and shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.
In this way, we come to know God's mercy and forgiveness, which leads to hope for the future.
We praise God with the emotions that well up within us when we come into contact with what is true, good, and beautiful.
④ Prayer of apology (asking for forgiveness)
It is a good thing to admit your mistakes and shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.
In this way, we come to know God's mercy and forgiveness, which leads to hope for the future.
4. Listening to "God's call" is an important part of prayer. It is very important to turn to God with a quiet heart and seek His will. You can feel God's work in past events and painful experiences. You can sense God's mercy and forgiveness even in heart-shaking events and disappointments. Through this kind of prayer, you can discover the path forward and live a meaningful life.
5. The Lumen Gentium promulgated by the Second Vatican Council praises the Virgin Mary as "the first and exemplary believer." For us Marianists, the Virgin Mary is the model for believers. The Gospels record that "Mary kept these things in her heart." Mary pondered events, always seeking God's will, and waited until it was revealed. No one participated in Christ's redemption more than the Virgin Mary. She entrusted her whole body and soul to God's plan. We Marianists must have faith like the Virgin Mary.
6. Finally, let us touch upon the prayers unique to Marianists, the "3 o'clock prayer" and the "Prayer of Consecration to Mary." Since the founding of the Marianist Family, these prayers have been recited to renew our consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to strengthen our unity among ourselves. We too promise to renew our consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to strengthen our unity among ourselves through these prayers.
Prayer of Consecration to Mary
Our Lord, you sent your Son, born of the Virgin Mary, to save and bring all men to yourself, and as we are conformed to his image by her, grant that we may become partakers of the love that Christ had for his Mother, Mary.
You have made Mary the new Eve, the Mother of all living, by participating in the Mysteries of your Son. Consolidate the covenant we have made with her, our Mother. May our devotion spread her maternal love throughout the world and contribute to the growth of the Church, the Body of Christ, your Son.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3 o'clock prayer
Lord Christ, we are now gathered to you, together with your Mother and your beloved Mother.
Forgive us the sins that caused your death. In this solemn hour of salvation, you have cared for us and given us Mary as our Mother. We thank you with all our hearts.
Mary, Mother of God, as we entrust ourselves to your protection, make us submissive to the action of the Holy Spirit.
Saint John, welcome Mary into our lives and help us to dedicate ourselves generously to the fulfillment of her mission.
May the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in every place through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
