Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst 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.
This is the prayer that resonates from the Grotto of Massabielle thousands of times a day. The “Hail Mary” echoes the words of the Angel Gabriel and Elizabeth.
All you need to know about the Hail Mary
When to pray the Ave Maria?
At any time: in the Rosary, the Angelus, or as a simple spontaneous greeting to the Virgin during the day.
What interpretation should be given to this prayer?
It is the greeting of the Angel (the Incarnation) followed by the supplication of the Church (request for protection for now and at death). It is the summary of Marian faith.
To whom is this prayer addressed?
To all men. It is the universal prayer par excellence to ask for the proximity of the Mother of God.