The Hail Mary

COMPENDIUM

The Angelic Salutation, Ave Maria, is used after the Pater noster as a means whereby we have recourse to the Most Holy Virgin. It is called the Angelic Salutation, because it begins with the words with which the Archangel Gabriel saluted the Virgin Mary.

The words of the Ave Maria are partly those of the Archangel Gabriel, partly those of St. Elizabeth, and partly those of the Church. The words of the Archangel are: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women." These words he addressed to Mary when he went to announce to her on behalf of God the mystery of the Incarnation which was to come to pass in her. When, therefore, we address the Blessed Virgin with the Angelic Salutation, we rejoice with her as we recall the singular graces and privileges which God has granted her, preferring her above all other creatures. The words of St. Elizabeth are: "Thou art blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." These words were spoken by St. Elizabeth under the inspiration of God, three months before she gave birth to St. John the Baptist, and when she was visited by the Most Holy Virgin, who already bore her Divine Son in her womb. When we repeat these words of St. Elizabeth, we rejoice with Blessed Mary in her most high dignity of being Mother of God, and we bless God and thank Him for giving us Jesus Christ through Mary. The rest of the words were added by the Church. In these final words of the Ave Maria, we ask for the protection of the Most Holy Virgin in the course of this life, and especially at the hour of our death, in which we have the greatest need of it.

After the Pater noster, we say the Ave Maria rather than any other prayer, because the Most Holy Virgin is our most powerful advocate with God next to Jesus Christ, and therefore, after saying the prayer taught by Jesus Christ, we beg our Blessed Lady to obtain for us the graces which we have prayed for. As Mother of God, the Most Holy Virgin is thus powerful, and it is impossible for her to go unheard by Him. Moreover, the Saints teach us by their devotion to Mary that those who are devout to her are loved and protected by her with a most tender maternal love, and that through her, they are certain to find Jesus and to get to Heaven.

The devotion which is specially recommended by the Church with regard to our Lady is the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

CATECHISM

324. What prayer do we usually say after the Our Father?

After the Our Father we say the Angelic Salutation, that is, the Hail Mary, through which we have recourse to the Blessed Virgin.

325. Why is the Hail Mary called the Angelic Salutation?

The Hail Mary is called the Angelic Salutation, because it begins with the salutation addressed by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.

326. Whose are the words of the Hail Mary?

The words of the Hail Mary are partly the Archangel Gabriel's, partly St. Elizabeth's, and partly the Church's.

327. Which are the words of the Archangel Gabriel?

The words of the Archangel Gabriel are these: Hail, full of grace, The Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.

328. When was it that the Angel said these words to Mary?

The Angel said these words to Mary when he went to announce to her, on the part of God, the mystery of the Incarnation that was to be wrought in her.

329. What is our object in saluting the Blessed Virgin with the very words of the Archangel?

In saluting the Blessed Virgin with the words of the Archangel, we congratulate her by recalling to mind the singular privileges and gifts which God has granted her in preference to all other creatures.

330. Which are the words of St. Elizabeth?

The words of St. Elizabeth are these: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

331. When was it that St. Elizabeth said these words?

St. Elizabeth, inspired by God, said these words when, three months before she gave birth to St. John the Baptist, she was visited by the Blessed Virgin, who then bore her Divine Son in her womb.

332. What do we intend by saying these words?

In saying the words of St. Elizabeth, we congratulate the Blessed Virgin on her high dignity as Mother of God, and we bless God and thank Him for having given us Jesus Christ through Mary.

333. Whose are the other words of the Hail Mary?

All the other words of the Hail Mary have been added by the Church.

334. What do we ask in the last part of the Hail Mary?

In the last part of the Hail Mary we beg the protection of the Blessed Virgin during this life and especially at the hour of death, when we shall have greater need of it.

335. Why do we say the Hail Mary, rather than any other prayer, after the Our Father?

Because the Blessed Virgin is our most powerful advocate with Jesus Christ, and hence, after having said the prayer taught us by Jesus Christ, we pray the Blessed Virgin to obtain for us the graces we have asked therein.

336. Why is the Blessed Virgin so powerful?

The Blessed Virgin is so powerful, because, being the Mother of God, she cannot but be heard by Him.

337. What do the Saints teach us on devotion to Mary?

Regarding devotion to Mary, the Saints teach us that those who are truly devout to her are loved and protected by her with a most tender Mother's love, and that with her help they are sure to find Jesus and obtain Paradise

338. What form of devotion to Mary does the Church recommend in a very special manner?

The devotion to the Blessed Virgin which the Church specially recommends is the Holy Rosary.