Hail Mary

The Hail Mary is a foundational Catholic prayer honoring the Virgin Mary and asking for her intercession. Its first half combines two greetings from the Gospel of Luke, while the second half is a petition developed by the Church. It is central to the Rosary and personal devotion, available to pray along with on Ave Audio.

Prayer Text

What is the Hail Mary?

The prayer's first part is taken directly from Scripture: the Archangel Gabriel’s greeting (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth’s greeting (Luke 1:42). The petition, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners…,” was added gradually during the Middle Ages. The complete form we use today was officially included in the Roman Breviary in 1568 by Pope St. Pius V. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains its biblical roots in paragraph 2676.

What does the Hail Mary mean?

The Hail Mary is a Christ-centered prayer, as its central point is the name of Jesus. It professes faith in Mary's unique role as “full of grace” and as the “Mother of God” (Theotokos), a title defined at the Council of Ephesus in 431. By praying it, we join our petitions to Mary's own perfect prayer, entrusting ourselves to her maternal care, especially at the decisive moment of death, as noted in the Catechism (CCC 2677).

When Do Catholics Pray the Hail Mary?

The Hail Mary is the core prayer of the Rosary and the Angelus, which is traditionally prayed at morning, noon, and evening. It is fitting for any moment of personal devotion, especially on Marian feast days like the Annunciation (March 25) or the Assumption (August 15). Many Catholics pray it when seeking comfort, guidance, or help in a moment of need, relying on Mary's powerful intercession.

Frequently Asked Questions