Ava Maria

The sun was shining and the sky was  blue the day we went on a three hour boat cruise through the Fjord-du-Saguenay.  Hills with lush shades of greens and rocky cliffs met the Saguenay River forming the lovely fjord.

We voyaged up the river and then turned around. On the way back the boat slowed down and the tour guide pointed out a statue of Mary (35 feet high) on the side of a cliff. The story is this: In the winter of 1878 a salesman who traveled the roads in and around Quebec was crossing the Saguenay when the ice broke and he and his horse and sleigh were pulled beneath the icy water. He was alone and helpless. Knowing he was dying he prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to save him. He miraculously survived and knew the Virgin Mary had assisted him. He commissioned this statue to be built to honor her.

The boat idled along  and the song Ava Maria resounded over the loud speaker. It was an unexpected but holy moment.

Here’s the English translation of the Latin prayer Ava Maria:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and in the hour of our death. Amen.