Growing up with my mom, grandma, and great-grandma as role models, Mary has always been an inspiring figure in our home. Thus, every year during the month of March, my family holds a prayer service: The 2,000 Hail Mary’s. Along with family and friends, we pray this intercessory prayer to Our Lady. 

Early in the morning, the service begins with the Rosary’s introductory prayers: the Apostle’s Creed, one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s, and the Glory Be. However, unlike the traditional Rosary, we pray 200 decades as opposed to five. Twenty candles surround the statue of Mary, representing certain petitions, and are each lit for every 100 Hail Mary’s prayed. Additionally, everyone writes personal petitions/letters to Mary, which are then burned to send the prayers up to Heaven. 

My mom has led this service for years, and it has always been an important part of my faith life. I wanted to share more about it, so I asked her a few questions:

Q: How did this tradition begin?

A: The 2000 Hail Mary’s was first introduced to me eight years ago by Mrs. Wilma Romasoc, who is an active member of the Filipino Community at St. Justin Martyr Parish Church. In our faith community, a statue of Mary stays in different homes every month. When it was our month to host, she told me about this service, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Q: What made you want to participate?

A: I took this on as my personal religious devotion. I believe in the power of praying the Rosary and praying 2,000 Hail Mary’s is a very powerful intercessory prayer.

Q: What does the 2000 Hail Mary’s mean to you?

A: This vow is very close to my heart as I have been a Marian devotee since I was a child. I offer these prayers as thanksgiving and for personal intentions.

Along with Mary, my mom continually inspires me in my faith, and I hope to one day carry on this special tradition.