Ave Maria Meditations
In our vocal prayers, we must not try to follow the exact meaning of all the words. Each prayer expresses one or several sentiments; the words are only means to that end. To each sentiment there corresponds an attitude of soul, an attitude of confidence, of regret, of love, etc. We must assume these attitudes.
Thus, for instance, the first part of the Our Father supposes an attitude of devotion to the interest of God; the second part, supplication for our needs. The first part of the Hail Mary supposes an attitude of loving veneration for the mother of Jesus; the second, one of humble supplication. It is easier for us, and also much more profitable, to take with Mary the attitude required by the part of the prayer we are reciting then to pay attention to the meaning of each word. The presence of Mary will immediately induce in us the sentiment of humility, of trust, of love, or regret to Jesus, to the Father, or to the most holy Trinity as the case may be.
Fr.Emile Neubert (from Life of Union with Mary)
