Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”

This whole part has roots in the Gospel of Luke. The two first verses originate from The Annunciation. They are the words of Gabriel the Archangel: “And he came to her and said: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:26-38). St. Gabriel greeted Mary with respect and trust when he came to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. She, in turn, changed the face of the world by accepting God’s plan for her.

The second part of the praise comes from The Visitation, also recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The last two verses are the words of Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, who exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42)

Supplication

“Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.”