Chapter III — On the «Hail Mary»

1. Which prayer are we accustomed to say after the Pater?

After the Pater, we say the angelic salutation, that is, the Hail Mary, by means of which we have recourse to the most holy Virgin.

2. Why is the Hail Mary called the angelic salutation?

The Hail Mary is called the angelic salutation because it begins with the greeting which the archangel Gabriel gave to the Virgin Mary.

3. Whose are the words of the Hail Mary?

The words of the Hail Mary are partly those of the archangel Gabriel, partly those of Saint Elizabeth, and partly those of the Church.

4. What are the words of the archangel Gabriel?

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

5. When did the Angel speak these words to Mary?

The Angel spoke these words to Mary when he went on God's behalf to announce to her the mystery of the Incarnation that was to be wrought in her.

6. What do we intend in saluting the most holy Virgin with the same words as the Archangel?

In saluting the most holy Virgin with the words of the Archangel, we rejoice with her, calling to mind the singular privileges and gifts which God has granted her in preference to all other creatures.

7. What are the words of Saint Elizabeth?

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

8. When did Saint Elizabeth speak these words?

Saint Elizabeth spoke these words, inspired by God, when, three months before she gave birth to Saint John the Baptist, she was visited by the most holy Virgin, who already bore in her womb her divine Son.

9. What do we do in saying these words?

In saying the words of Saint Elizabeth we rejoice with the Most Holy Mary at her exalted dignity as Mother of God, and we bless God and thank Him for having given us Jesus Christ through Mary.

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

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

11. What do we ask with the last words of the Hail Mary?

With the last words of the Hail Mary we ask the protection of the most holy Virgin throughout the course of this life, and especially at the hour of our death, in which we shall have greatest need of it.

12. Why, after the Pater, do we say the Hail Mary rather than any other prayer?

Because the Most Holy Virgin is the most powerful Advocate with Jesus Christ, and therefore, after saying the prayer Jesus Christ taught us, we pray to the Most Holy Virgin to obtain for us the graces we have asked.

13. For what reason is the most holy Virgin so powerful?

The most holy Virgin is so powerful because she is the Mother of God, and it is impossible that she should not be heard by Him.

14. What do the Saints teach us about devotion to Mary?

On devotion to Mary the Saints teach us that her true devotees are loved and protected by her with the love of a most tender Mother, and through her they are certain of finding Jesus and obtaining paradise.

15. Which devotion to Mary does the Church especially recommend to us?

The devotion which the Church especially recommends to us toward the Most Holy Mary is the recitation of the holy Rosary.