Pizzelles and the Hail Mary

I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking abilities. Not anymore. I am now retired and my goal in life is to single-task as often as possible. And at the top of my list of single-tasking priorities is prayer.

Old habits are hard to break, though, and I still find my mind wandering when I pray. It takes discipline to stay focused. I’ve often wondered if it’s okay to pray the rosary while taking my walk. I think so. So then, is it also okay to pray the rosary while on the treadmill? That’s just not right. Mary deserves our respect and undivided attention when we pray.

This was reinforced for me today as I was making traditional Italian pizzelles – the thin, waffle-like cookies that are pressed individually on a pizzelle iron. Most Italians use anise extract to flavor them (though I sometimes mix it up and will use lemon, vanilla or almond extract). While making a batch I often feel as if I’m communing with my own mother (now deceased), my grandmothers (also deceased) and many of my aunts who are also now gone. The aroma of the anise in the house while my mom was making pizzelles is something I will never forget. When I make them, I feel as if my long-gone relatives are with me.

My mother made beautiful pizzelles. They were perfect in shape and size, all coming off the pizzelle iron looking exactly the same.

My pizzelles are FAR from perfect. I have always had trouble staying focused on the process of individually pressing them. I tend to lock the press down, thinking that I can do some quick kitchen task in between presses. My mind wanders and I start making mental notes about the week’s menu. I then either open the iron too soon, resulting in the batter sticking to the surface of the iron, or too late, resulting in a burnt pizzelle.

Today, I was again struggling as I was making a batch of pizzelles to take to my cousin, who had invited my husband and I to dinner. No two came off the pizzelle iron looking alike. Some stuck. Some were brown. Some were misshapen, not having been centered properly before pressing.

As I was getting more and more frustrated, I recalled my dear mother’s words as she shared her “secret” for perfect pizzelles.

“After pressing down the iron,” she said, “I say three Hail Marys. When I’m done, I lift the iron and take out the pizzelles,” she added, smiling sweetly.

Talk about focus … I remember her calling me to tell me she was about to take her phone “off the hook” because she was going to make pizzelles. She said she didn’t want me to worry if I couldn’t get in touch with her. She was really focused.

And she really prayed; she wasn’t just reciting words. My mother, like her own father, was extremely devoted to the Blessed Mother. In fact, the last words my mother heard as she passed into eternal life were the words of the rosary, with ALL its Hail Marys, as I prayed aloud at her bedside, just as she had taught me.

Remembering her three-Hail Mary technique, I committed to focusing while pressing what remained of the pizzelle batter. And you know what? My mother was right. While still not as perfect as my mom’s, the rest of the pizzelles turned out much better.

As I set them on the counter to cool, I looked through the kitchen window and saw our backyard shrine to the Blessed Mother. I couldn’t help but smile.

Today’s world and our hurried pace make it so hard to find quiet time to devote to prayer. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

The pizzelles were only an exercise. From now on, I will strive to take the phone “off the hook” and truly focus on my prayers.

Thanks, Mom. Love you.

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