For Lent this year, I resolved to pray the Angelus in the morning, at midday, and in the evening – a practice, of course, long a part of Catholic piety. In my adult life, I’ve been up and down in adhering to this practice, and this year I wanted to fix that. (Please don’t ask how I’ve done thus far!)
I was inspired to make this resolution by a passage in St. John Paul II’s Gift and Mystery, which he published on the 50th anniversary of his ordination. This dense little book tells JPII’s “vocation story.”
For a man who chose “Totus Tuus” as his episcopal motto, it’s no surprise that Mary played an influential role in that story. From early on in life, it appears Karol Wojtyla prayed the Angelus three times a day. Indeed, while working in the stone quarry as a young man, Karol would pause at midday, put down what he was carrying, and silently pray the Angelus – a sight that his fellow workers found admirable, but also somewhat amusing. Such is the fate of a fool for Mary!
By learning more about Mary and then consecrating himself to her (under the guidance of St.
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