During the month of May, we turn with confidence to Mary. With her, we direct our prayers to God, convinced that he will not refuse her what we ask of him, since she stands before him as our advocate. Each day, we pray the Hail Mary, a prayer which St George Preca beautifully explains:
Hail
This word express familiarity, reverence, and joy. In uttering them, we become like the Archangel Gabriel, showing Mary that we are close to her, that she invites us to speak freely, and that she inspires us to place our trust in her.
Mary
The angel did not address her by name, since he was speaking to her personally. However, the Church added her name to the prayer to inspire in us deeper love for our Blessed Mother.
full of grace
These words highlight Mary’s extraordinary dignity. She has received more grace from God than all the angels and human beings combined.
the Lord is with you
This refers to Mary’s second unique privilege. By ‘the Lord’ we understand the Holy Trinity: the Father overshadowed her, the Holy Spirit descended upon her, and the Son took flesh in her pure womb.
blessed are you among women
This is Mary’s third special privilege. In saying these words, we acknowledge with the Archangel Gabriel that no woman has been more richly blessed than Our Lady.
blessed is the fruit of your womb
Here we affirm Mary’s fourth privilege. Having already praised her for who she is, we now praise her also because of her divine Son.
Jesus.
Although St Elizabeth did not use the name ‘Jesus’, the Church added it so that we might more fully honour and revere Mary’s womb, which bore Christ for nine months.
Holy Mary
Our Lady’s holiness surpasses that of any other created being. She is holy from the moment of her conception, throughout her life and death, in both body and soul.
Mother of God
These words fill Mary’s heart with joy and mercy. They also fill us with hope, as we contemplate her exalted role in the mystery of salvation.
pray for us sinners
We ask her to intercede for us, that God might show us his mercy, deliver us from sin, and unite us fully with himself.
now
This word refers to every moment of our life, not just the moment we say it. It also reminds us of the fleeting nature of life.
and at the hour of our death.
In this particular moment, we need her assistance more than any other. The devil exerts his greatest efforts to lead us into sin, knowing that if he fails at that moment, he loses us forever.
Amen
That is to say: may it be so, just as we have prayed.
