Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianist Family, encouraged his followers to pause for contemplation. One of the earliest texts defines this spiritual practice as follows: Every day at three o'clock in the afternoon each one makes a short prayer, each one remains standing wherever he may be.The Three O'Clock Prayer makes a difference in our daily routine and educates our spiritual sense. It is a bold prayer.
In the midst of a secular world, the Three O'Clock Prayer witnesses the presence of a spiritual reality in our lives. The prayerful halt at three o'clock creates a clear break from business as usual, and sheds critical light on how we deal with secular reality.
In the Three O'Clock Prayer we say: "Holy Virgin take us under your protection." Is not this what it is all about? To be under the protection of Mary, who kept all things in her heart, wasting nothing, pondering everything, critically and prayerfully?
The prayer goes on: "Holy Virgin open us to the action of the Holy Spirit." The Spirit is the ultimate reason and source of our faith!
