Praying the Hail Mary with Actions

To learn actions to accompany the words of the Hail Mary

The children will have memorized the Hail Mary.

• Invite the children to stand in a circle.
• Tell them that they are going to learn actions to go along with the words to the Hail Mary to help them memorize the words.
• Tell them that praying with gestures is another form of prayer, as is singing or praying silently.
• Demonstrate the following gestures as you pray each line of the prayer:

Hail Mary, (Lift your right hand pointing to the sky.)

Full of grace, (Lift your left hand pointing to the sky.)

The Lord is with you. (Bring your hands down folded near your heart.)

Blessed are you among women, (Take your right hand and sweep it across your body pointing to all the girls in the group around you.)

And blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. (Pretend you are rocking a baby in your arms.)

Holy Mary, (Lift your right hand pointing to the sky.)

Mother of God, (Lift your left hand pointing to the sky.)

Pray for us sinners, (Bring your hands down folded near your heart.)

Now (Point down to the ground with both hands.)

And at the hour of our death. (Point to a pretend watch on your wrist.)

Amen. (Bring hands together folded near your heart.)

You may need to repeat the prayer with its gestures at the end of the session for repetition and practice.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.