THE IMMACULATE RECEPTION / by Joe Castorino

With murderous

Menacing eyes,

Blitzing linebackers

Aggressively attack

The line of scrimmage

With their worldly temptations,

And threaten to tackle me hard

And intercept my attempts 

To remain in Jesus’ love,

So I quickly step back

Into the crumbling pocket,

And though distracted

By the waving arms

Of the wild intruders,


I place myself in His presence,

I beseech Him to help me,

I pray, hope, and don’t worry,

I am courageous and not afraid,

I do whatever He tells me,

I come to Him and I am refreshed,

I am filled with the Spirit,

I joyfully sing to the Lord,

I give thanks to Him always,

I focus on the fruit of the Spirit,

I have the divine sense of humor,

I surrender all to Him,

I fix my gaze on the Passion,

I know that God conquers all,


So I throw a prayer of love

With all my might

High into the Heavens,

Confident that Our Lady will

Snatch it from all the defenders,

Which she always does;

She leaps ever so high into the air,

Like the most elegant ballerina,

Making the Immaculate Reception,

Then she flies like an angel

Down the sideline and 

Kneels in the end zone,

Bringing my heartfelt prayer

Before our Lord and King.

Touchdown.