[P-Marlowe]

I answered your question, you are avoiding the answer.

The question had to do with penance.

Why are you told by the priest to say Hail Mary's (which you claim are just rote recitation of scriptural phrases) as a penance rather than reciting obscure passages of scripture? What sort of magic does a Hail Mary do that a "And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings" will not likewise do?

If the Hail Mary is not some kind of adoration or worship or veneration of Mary and is just scripture recitation (like you implied), then why as a penance are not other, more obscure and more difficult passages ordered recited for penance?

[Natural Law]

"If the Hail Mary is not some kind of adoration or worship or veneration of Mary and is just scripture recitation (like you implied), then why as a penance are not other, more obscure and more difficult passages ordered recited for penance?"

It seems to me that any answer I give you will be insufficient. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and get back to me if you still have questions.

[ArrogantBustard]

then why as a penance are not other, more obscure and more difficult passages ordered recited for penance?

Who says they aren't? Who says the "Hail Mary" is the only (or even most common) prayer "ordered recited for penance"?

Are your speaking from personal experience? Have you interviewed a statistically significant, randomly selected sample of lay Catholics (or priests) on the topic?

I'm honestly curious ... this is not a flame.