Introduction
One of the great blessings of the Catholic faith is the intercessory role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, often referred to as Our Lady. This article focuses on the powerful prayer to Our Lady of Banishment for an impossible cause. It’s worth noting that the title “Our Lady of Banishment” is not universally recognized within the Catholic Church but can be understood within the broader Catholic tradition of devotion to Mary under various titles. Let’s delve into the basis for Marian prayer, the efficacy of prayer for impossible causes, and how the prayer to Our Lady of Banishment fits into this.
The Foundation of Marian Devotion
The Catholic Church has long venerated Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the Queen of Heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions: “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it” (CCC 964). This implies that Mary, being in union with Christ, serves as an intermediary between us and God. The Bible also attests to Mary’s unique role. In the Gospel of Luke, for instance, Elizabeth exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42, ESV).
Theology of Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory prayer is not exclusive to Mary but is a general Christian practice based on the idea that saints can pray on our behalf. The Catechism states, “The intercession of the saints. ‘Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness…. [T]hey do not cease to intercede with the Father for us'” (CCC 956).
So, the intercession of saints, and by extension Mary, is an accepted and venerable practice within the Catholic Church. Intercessory prayer doesn’t mean we see saints as replacements for Christ, the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Rather, the saints and Mary join their prayers to Christ’s, directing our petitions to the Father.
Praying for the Impossible
The Bible itself is full of stories where God performs miracles for seemingly impossible causes, showing that faith can indeed move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Praying to saints and Mary for their intercession in impossible causes is an extension of this belief in God’s omnipotence. The Catechism also highlights God’s omnipotence, saying, “Nothing is impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will” (CCC 269).
Our Lady of Banishment: Context and Prayer
The title “Our Lady of Banishment” is not as widely known as other titles like Our Lady of Lourdes or Our Lady of Fatima. It’s worth stating that the Catholic Church doesn’t have an official teaching about Our Lady of Banishment, but this falls more under the category of popular piety or local devotion. In other words, while not universal, it is in line with the general Catholic understanding of Marian intercession.
The prayer to Our Lady of Banishment typically seeks her intercession for a particularly difficult or seemingly impossible cause. Since there isn’t a universally recognized text for this prayer, and variations may exist, here is a common version, summarized for accuracy:
Oh, Our Lady of Banishment, vanquisher of all evil, I stand before you in this moment of need. I humbly ask for your intercession before your Son, Jesus, for [state your impossible cause here]. Mary, dispel the power of the enemy, banish this issue from my life, and bring peace and harmony. Amen.
Conclusion: The Hope in Prayer
When we pray to Our Lady of Banishment for an impossible cause, we tap into a long-standing Catholic tradition that recognizes the power of intercessory prayer and God’s omnipotence. Although this specific title of Mary may not be universally recognized, it adheres to the same principles that guide the Church’s more general teachings on Mary and intercession. With a sincere heart and faith in God’s power, no cause is truly impossible.
It’s essential to remember that ultimately, all prayers are subject to the will of God. As the Catechism says, “We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the One who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will” (CCC 2736, quoting Romans 8:26-27).
Thus, while we fervently pray for our causes, impossible or not, let us also pray for the grace to align our wills with that of God, confident in the intercession of Our Lady and the communion of saints.