Hail Mary Prayer

The Hail Mary - one of the most important prayers in Catholic tradition

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Origin of the Hail Mary

The Hail Mary comes from two main sources. The first part is taken from the Gospel of Luke, which includes the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:28) and the greeting of Elizabeth to Mary (Luke 1:42). The second part, which asks for Mary's intercession, was added by the Church in the 15th century and officially established in the Roman Breviary by Pope Pius V in 1568.

Meaning and Importance

The Hail Mary is one of the most important prayers in the Catholic tradition. This prayer honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as the one chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus Christ. It also acknowledges Mary's role as an intercessor for our prayers to God. In Catholic tradition, Mary is honored not as an object of worship, but as a model of faith and humility.

Use in Catholic Devotion

The Hail Mary is used in various Catholic devotions, including:

The Rosary - where this prayer is repeated 53 times
The Angelus - a prayer recited three times a day
Novenas to the Blessed Virgin Mary
As a personal prayer for Mary's intercession

How to Pray the Hail Mary

The Hail Mary can be recited at any time, either alone or in a group. When praying, reflect on the words being spoken and their meaning. Many Catholics make the sign of the cross before and after praying. This prayer is also often recited using a rosary as a tool to count the repetitions of the prayer.