Crossword Genius

Prayer by masculine, bearded Reverend Spooner (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hail mary

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'prayer' is the definition.
(Hail Mary is an example)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for hail mary that I've seen before include "Ave Maria" , "Prayer to the Virgin" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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