“MICHAEL, try praying the ‘Memorare’ 3X when you have special intentions,” was one of several things I remembered from the visit of Michelle Dayrit Soliven. She said it over lunch when she and her family stayed at V Hotel and Apartel, during her last visit to Baguio.
Why 3X? I forgot to ask her. I just took her word for it, and said to myself, “I am sure praying more times is certainly better than once.” Besides, praying more often and “unceasingly” is bible based.
How did I apply what she shared?
Let me tell you a story that I keep repeating.
A priest once asked a bishop, “Bishop, may I smoke while praying?”
“Of course not. That is very disrespectful,” said the bishop.
A seminarian who overheard the conversation, chanced upon the bishop later in the day, and asked him, “Bishop, may I pray while smoking?”
“Of course,” was his reply.
End of story.
With that story firmly entrenched in my mind, and the “3X” advice, let me share what I now do:
When I do sit ups, I strive to do so ‘til I finish praying “3 Memorares.” I do the same when I skip rope. When I miss a beat, I start again and continue ‘til I finish three. When I swim, I do a series of threes. Nope, unfortunately I can’t pray while sparring. I pray before I spar! And pray after, thankful for no injuries inflicted on me.
Thus, when anyone asks me, how many sit ups or skip ropes I do, I can’t give a number, except, “3 Memorares!”
Answered prayers? Always! “Yes,” “no,” “not yet,” or “I have something better in store for you.”
My dearest family and friends,
What does Matthew 6:7 say? “But when you pray, do not babble on like the pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.”
So, does saying 3X the Memorare, repeating the “Lord’s Prayer,” and praying the rosary, be against our faith?
Last week, I quoted Psalm 136 which has 26 lines, each of which ended with the refrain: “God’s love endures forever!”
Praying repetitiously simply indicates emphasis on the importance of a thought. Repetition
Is not bad in itself.
The same is true of formal prayers, including the “Our Father.”
Prayers put into song have repetitious lines, and they are no less good prayers when addressed to God. In fact, singing is often described as twice praying.
And I quote from an article: “Formal prayers allow believers to pray in unison, not just in a particular gathering, but all over the world and even across generations—an important expression of the unity of our faith. At the same time formal prayers, especially those taken from Sacred Scripture and Tradition, shape our thoughts and desires as we pray, making them more in keeping with God’s revelation.”
Let us pray the “Memorare,” once, thrice, and as often as possible:
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother, to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”
Yes, pray 3X while waiting in line at the grocery, while waiting for a ride, while waiting for your doctor, while driving, and specially while being tempted to do wrong or omit doing what is right.