July 21, 2024, 12:00 PM

Mary Magdalene, Saint Ann, and the Blessed Virgin Mary encountered Christ in their lives. The Feast of Mary Magdalene is tomorrow, the Feast of St. Ann is Friday, and Saturdays are devoted to the BVM. They all teach us a lot and, hopefully, we deepen our Faith and our prayer lives through them. We traditionally begin praying the 9-day St. Ann Novena on July 17, but we can pray it anytime. When we pray it, we ask for help from our Blessed Mother’s mother! Consider two prayers, one to the grandmother of Jesus and one to the mother of Jesus. The St Ann Novena Day 5 prayer begins, “Great St. Ann, how far I am from resembling you. I so easily give way to impatience and discouragement; and so easily give up praying when God does not at once answer my request.” The Memorare is a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you 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. Amen.” By saying these prayers, we believe St Ann and the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us. If this is a little too much to start building up a prayer life, try “Good Saint Ann, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” We do what works for us because building up our prayer lives is essential. Now you know!