The Angelical Salutation (Hail Mary)

Question 1

Say the Angelical Salutation (Hail Mary).

Answer 1

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.

Question 2

What is a salutation?

Answer 2

A salutation is the customary words or actions by which the people of a country greet one another.

Question 3

Why is this salutation called angelical?

Answer 3

This salutation is called angelical because it was given by an angel.

Question 4

What does “hail” mean?

Answer 4

“Hail” means, “I wish you health.” It is an exclamation of respectful greeting.

Question 5

How is the “Hail Mary” divided?

Answer 5

The “Hail Mary” is divided into two parts. The first part, made by the angel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth, contains the praises of the Mother of God; and the second part, added by the Church, begs her intercession for sinners.

Question 6

Why is the “Hail Mary” usually placed after the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer 6

The “Hail Mary” is usually placed after the “Our Father” because it is an inspired prayer, the most excellent after the Lord’s Prayer, and also that the Blessed Mother may, by her powerful intercession, aid us in obtaining what we ask.

Question 7

Who was St. Elizabeth?

Answer 7

St. Elizabeth was the mother of St. John the Baptist and the cousin of the Blessed Virgin.

Question 8

What answer did the Blessed Virgin make to the words of St. Elizabeth?

Answer 8

The Blessed Virgin answered St. Elizabeth in the words of the beautiful Magnificat.

Question 9

What is the Magnificat?

Answer 9

The Magnificat is the splendid canticle or hymn in which the Blessed Virgin praises God and returns Him thanks for the great things He has done for her. It is usually sung at Vespers in the Church.

Question 10

Why do we address Mary as “full of grace”?

Answer 10

We address Mary as “full of grace” because she was never guilty of the slightest sin, was endowed with every virtue, and was blessed with a constant increase of grace in her soul.

Question 11

Why do we say “the Lord is with thee”?

Answer 11

We say “the Lord is with thee,” for besides being with her as He is with all His creatures on account of His presence everywhere, and as He is with the good on account of their virtue, He is with Mary in a very special manner on account of her dignity as Mother of His Son.

Question 12

Why is Mary called “blessed amongst women”?

Answer 12

Mary is called “blessed amongst women” on account of her personal holiness, her great dignity as Mother of God, and her freedom from original sin.

Question 13

Why is Mary called “holy”?

Answer 13

Mary is called “holy” because one full of grace and endowed with every virtue must be holy.

Question 14

Why do we need Mary’s prayers at the hour of death?

Answer 14

We need Mary’s prayers at the hour of death because at that time our salvation is in greatest danger, and our spiritual enemies most anxious to overcome us.

Question 15

Why do we say the “Hail Mary”?

Answer 15

We say the “Hail Mary” to put us in mind of the Incarnation, and to show our devotion to the Mother of God, and our confidence in her assistance.

Question 16

In what form of prayer is the “Hail Mary” most frequently repeated?

Answer 16

The “Hail Mary” is most frequently repeated in the recitation of the Rosary or beads.

Question 17

What is the Angelus?

Answer 17

The Angelus is a prayer giving a brief history of the Incarnation.

Question 18

Say the Angelus.

Answer 18

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy Word. Hail Mary, etc. And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, etc. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God! That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by His Passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Question 19

At what time is the Angelus usually said?

Answer 19

The Angelus is said in the evening, in memory of the Incarnation; in the morning, in memory of the Resurrection, and at noon in memory of the Passion of Our Lord.

Question 20

What does “the Word was made flesh” mean in the Angelus?

Answer 20

“The Word” means the second person of the Blessed Trinity, and “made flesh” means became man.

Question 21

What is the Litany of the Blessed Virgin?

Answer 21

The Litany is a form of prayer in which we address our Blessed Lady by many beautiful titles, such as Mother of God, Virgin Most Pure, Refuge of Sinners, etc., asking her after each to pray for us.

Question 22

Are there any other Litanies in use besides the Litany of the Blessed Virgin?

Answer 22

Besides the Litany of the Blessed Virgin there are other Litanies in use, especially the Litany of the Saints, the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, etc.