One of the problems with prayer is that the words we use often cease to have an impact upon us. While spontaneous prayer, using our own language, is essential, we should not retreat from tried and tested words. As well as forming our prayer we should also allow our prayer to form us.

One of the phrases that we have used constantly since our childhood is "Hail Mary, full of grace" Tomorrow we celebrate a wonderful feast which gives us opportunity to reflect upon what we say there. The Immaculate Conception stresses that Mary is full of grace.

She lived a life which from its very origins was free from sin. But this was not achieved by her own efforts - she didn't grit her teeth and try to become holy, rather she responded completely to the love that God showered on her.

Everything she is and has is gift and grace from the Father through her Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary is the model of humility because she realised this absolute dependence on God - perhaps we are still sinners because we have not yet done so? May Mary, full of grace, pray for us that we may see things as they truly are.

P.D.