Marianist Monday

Christian tradition holds that Jesus died at three o’clock in the afternoon.

The Three O’ Clock Prayer is a prayer based on that belief and focuses on the final moments of Jesus’ life when he entrusted the care of his mother Mary to his beloved disciple. Blessed William Joseph Chaminade believed that when he proclaimed to John that from this time forward Mary would be his mother, Jesus entrusted the Church into the care of his mother. 

The Marianists adopted that prayer as a means of uniting the Marianists around the world in an act of prayer and solidarity. Students in Marianist schools pray this prayer at the end of the school day as a way to join in this tradition.

The Three O’ Clock Prayer


Lord Jesus, 

we gather in spirit at the foot of the cross 

with your Mother and the disciple whom you loved.

We ask your pardon for our sins which are the cause of your death.
We thank you for remembering us in that hour of salvation 

and for giving us Mary as our Mother.
Holy Virgin, take us under your protection 

and open us to the action of the Holy Spirit.

Saint John, obtain for us the grace of taking 

Mary into our life, as you did, and of assisting her in her mission.

May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit 

be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.