Prières à la Vierge Marie

She is also known as the Virgin Mother. She gave birth to Jesus on a day when we celebrate Christmas today.

We may wonder why God would want us to have a relationship with his mother – wouldn't that turn us away from him? Doesn't that sound contradictory enough?

Not necessarily – and our experience bears this out. Take, for example, a young man who meets his girlfriend's parents. As he gets to know them, he realizes that they are a good family, enjoys being around them, and also begins to like them in some way. Does this mean that by falling in love with them, he will love his girlfriend less? Not necessarily. One could even say that the opposite is possible: his love for his girlfriend's family can help him know and love his girlfriend better.

Something similar happens in our relationship with the Virgin Mary. It is not there to distract us from God, but to lead us to him.

Prayers to the Virgin Mary are often important for those of the Catholic faith. The foundation of all our trust is in the Blessed Virgin Mary. For God has given to Mary the treasure of all good things, so that everyone may know that through her are obtained all hope, all grace and all salvation. For such is His will, that we obtain everything through Mother Mary.

The Ave Maria is a scripture-based prayer in which we meditate on words from the Gospel of Luke. In the second half of the prayer, we ask Mary to intercede for us and bring us closer to her Son, Jesus.

It is also the heart of the Rosary, in which we pray with Mary while contemplating the sacred mysteries, or significant moments, of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Hail Mary is traditionally prayed by Catholics, but many people (Christians and non-Christians) feel drawn to Mary. They recognize her powerful witness as a faithful follower of Christ and seek her help as a compassionate spiritual mother.

Along with the Lord's Prayer (Our Father), the Ave Maria is one of the first prayers that Catholics learn in their journey of faith.