Hail Mary
The angelic greeting to the Blessed Virgin
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.
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.
History and meaning
The first part of the Hail Mary joins Gabriel's greeting at the Annunciation with Elizabeth's words at the Visitation. The petition asking Mary to pray for us developed later and reached its familiar form over time. The prayer is repeated through each decade while the person praying meditates on a mystery from the life of Christ.