My cyber pal The Anchoress has sent out a plea for prayers.

At one time or another, we’ve all been in that place — a place of desperation and dread. Characteristically, The Anchoress is not asking us to pray for her, but for people close to her, a family that is in pain and in urgent need of grace — or, at the very least, hope.

My heart goes out to them, with a simple whispered prayer that has comforted so many in need of healing:

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee…