Background Notes

October has traditionally been considered the month of the Rosary. October 7 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. We honor Mary, the Mother of God, in various ways because we see in her a wonderful combination of faith, obedience, and love for God. She united the joy of a mother with the honor of a virgin. These prayer celebrations focus on Mary as a woman truly graced by God.


"Hail Mary, Holy Mary" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Learning to pray the Hail Mary
Materials Needed		Prayer table and candle, Bible, statue of Mary, construction paper, crayons or markers, tape, copies of liturgy, and music
Reading		Luke 1:26-42
Music		"We Praise You," Blest Are We Music CD 1; "Immaculate Mary" (Traditional); "Hail Mary," Mary Lu Walker; "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman," Carey Landry (OCP Publications); "Mary, Full of Grace," Jeanne Frolick, SFCC (OCP Publications)
Preparation		Before your prayer celebration, prepare eight construction-paper posters, each with a phrase from the Hail Mary. Number the posters on the back to indicate the order in which they will be used, and then select eight children to hold up the posters during the prayer celebration. If you are doing this with a smaller group or at home – display the posters on a low table or counter. Photocopy or print out copies of the prayer card activity sheet for each child. Practice your role as leader of the prayer celebration.
Adaptations		Display the posters of the Hail Mary in a special area beforehand. Have children suggest offerings for Mary, such as flowers, which they can bring to the prayer table.
Additional Materials		"We Praise You" Blest Are We Music CD 1 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36652-2 Blest Are We Song Book Words and melody for children; contains music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book Contains accompaniment music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2