[drstevej]

"The Catholic notion of doing penance is this performance of deeds worthy of their repentance."

I do not mean this glibly, but how does the saying of a number of Hail Mary's relate to deeds worthy of repentance? I can see making restitution for theft, offering and apology to someone offended, etc. but ritual acts somehow do not fit in the same category.

[nika]

Saying Hail Mary's isn't necessarily all that is required. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Paragraphs 1459 and 1460

[nika]

I do not mean this glibly, but how does the saying of a number of Hail Mary's relate to deeds worthy of repentance?
drstevej

I am not sure if you question the Hail Mary in particular or formal prayer in general. You would ask the Mother of Jesus to pray for you in the Hail Mary for the same reasons you would ask anyone else to pray for you, except you will soon find that the prayers of Mary are amazingly powerful.

I would think you would agree that praying is a deed worthy of repentance.

I am not sure I know what it is you are after.

God Bless!
nika