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| The Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer. The Hail Mary is one of the most beloved prayers in the Catholic Church, asking Our Lady to intercede for us now and at the hour of our death. |
Hail Mary Prayer
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
What Is the Hail Mary Prayer?
The Hail Mary Prayer is one of the most cherished prayers in the Catholic Church. It is a beautiful expression of love, honor, and trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. Through this prayer, Catholics ask Our Lady to pray for us and lead us ever closer to her Son.
The Hail Mary is prayed countless times every day throughout the world. It forms the heart of the Holy Rosary, is recited during many Marian devotions, and offers comfort in times of joy, sorrow, temptation, and uncertainty.
Far from replacing our worship of God, this prayer asks Mary to intercede for us, just as Christians ask one another to pray for them. All authentic Marian devotion ultimately points us to Jesus Christ.
You can also read the official text of the prayer on the USCCB Hail Mary Prayer page.
The Biblical Foundation of the Hail Mary
The Hail Mary is firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture.
The opening words come directly from the greeting of the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation:
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
Read the full passage in Luke Chapter 1 (USCCB Bible)
(Luke 1:28)
The next line comes from the words of St. Elizabeth when Mary visited her:
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
(Luke 1:42)
The final petition:
"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."
was developed by the Church over the centuries as a heartfelt prayer asking the Mother of God for her loving intercession.
Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary?
Some people wonder why Catholics pray to Mary instead of praying directly to Jesus.
Catholics do pray directly to Jesus every day. At the same time, we also ask the saints—including Mary—to pray for us, just as we ask family members and friends to remember us in their prayers.
Because Mary is the Mother of God and the first disciple of Christ, Catholics have always honored her in a special way. Her final recorded words in Scripture summarize her entire mission:
"Do whatever He tells you." (John 2:5)
Every true devotion to Mary leads us to a deeper love of Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Church explains the meaning of the Hail Mary in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2675–2677).
When Can You Pray the Hail Mary?
You can pray the Hail Mary at any time.
Many Catholics pray it:
Every morning and evening
During the Holy Rosary
Before Holy Mass
During Eucharistic Adoration
In times of temptation
Before important decisions
When asking for protection
While praying for loved ones
At the bedside of the sick
For those who are dying
Even one sincere Hail Mary prayed with faith can bring peace to the heart.
Spiritual Fruits of Praying the Hail Mary
Those who faithfully pray the Hail Mary often experience many spiritual blessings, including:
Greater love for Jesus Christ
A deeper devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Interior peace and consolation
Strength during trials and suffering
Growth in humility and obedience
Confidence in God's mercy
Perseverance in the Christian life
Prayer changes us by opening our hearts more fully to God's grace.
A Reflection
The Hail Mary reminds us that God chose a humble woman from Nazareth to become the Mother of the Savior. Mary's response to God's call—"Be it done unto me according to your word"—remains a model of faith for every Christian.
Whenever we pray the Hail Mary, we are invited to imitate her humility, trust, and complete surrender to God's will.
May we, like Mary, always say "yes" to whatever God asks of us.
Related Catholic Prayers
If this prayer has blessed you, you may also wish to pray:
Prayer Before Praying
Morning Offering
Memorare
Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
Conclusion
The Hail Mary Prayer has strengthened the faith of Christians for centuries. Whether prayed quietly in the home, reverently during the Rosary, or whispered in moments of fear or gratitude, it remains a beautiful invitation to seek the loving intercession of the Mother of God.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary always lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ, and help us remain faithful until the hour when we are called home to the Father.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." — Luke 11:28
Further Reading
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