[Magdalen] Earliest Known Marian Prayer

[Roger Stokes]

On 18/07/2016 09:02, Allan Carr wrote:
> The more I think about it, the more I have problems with the request "do not despise our petitions in time of trouble."
>
> "Despise is a pretty strong word. I   can't imagine Mary having that emotion for petitions "in time of trouble."

I'm not a historical linguist but words can and do change their meaning 
and implications over time.  This is acknowledged in the Preface to the 
1662 BCP and there is an example of a word that has changed its meaning 
in the General Intercession in the Communion service in that book.  
There we pray for the indifferent ministration of justice.  That would 
now mean the judge not caring about what he was doing whereas its proper 
meaning is what we would now call impartial ministration.

Roger