“Mary is the perfect Orans (pray-er), a figure of the Church. When we pray to her, we are adhering with her to the plan of the Father, who sends his Son to save all men. Like the beloved disciple we welcome Jesus' mother into our homes,39 for she has become the mother of all the living. We can pray with and to her. The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope.”
~The Catechism of the Catholic Church~



Hail Mary

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.



The Hail Mary, or the Angelic Salutation. is the most recognizable Marian prayer. It is described as having three parts. The first part, “Hail Mary full of grace……..” represents the words of the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation (Luke, 1:28). The second part, “and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,” is taken from the greeting of Saint Elizabeth to Mary at the Visitation (Luke 1:42).
The final part, "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen." was declared by the official "Catechism of the Council of Trent" to have been framed by the Church itself.



“Beginning with Mary's unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the Person of Christ manifested in His mysteries. In countless hymns and antiphons expressing this prayer, two movements usually alternate with one another: the first "magnifies" the Lord for the "great things" He did for His lowly servant and through her for all human beings. The second entrusts the supplications and praises of the children of God to the Mother of Jesus, because she now knows the humanity which, in her, the Son of God espoused."
~the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2675~


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Salve Regina

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
Our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry,
Poor banished children of Eve,
To thee do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping
In this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy toward us,
And after this our exile,
Show unto us the blessed fruit
Of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy
Of the promises of Christ.
Amen.




It is believed that this beautiful prayer (also known by it’s English name, Hail Holy Queen)  was written as a hymn during the middle Ages by a German monk, Hermann of Reichenau. Many others, however, have been suggested as it’s author. Among them are  St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Adhemar de Monteil, Bishop of Le Puy (ca 1080 AD), and Peter of Compostela (930 AD).
In 1218 the Cistercians adopted it as a daily processional chant and in 1251 as an ending to the Night Prayers. The Dominicans and the Franciscans also adopted it around this same time and the Carmelites used it for a while in place of the last Gospel at Mass. Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241) ordered it to be chanted after Night Prayers (Compline) on Fridays. From the 14th century down to today it has been a part of Compline for the Latin Rite. Traditionally this antiphon is recited at Night Prayers  from Trinity Sunday until Advent. This hymn is said to be a favorite of our Lady herself as told  by testimony of those who have  seen her in visions. 
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired then with confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen



Memorare, from the Latin "Remember,"  emphasizes Mary's role as intercessor and her unbroken history of answering the prayer of those who call to her.
It is often mistakenly credited   to the 12th century Cistercian monk, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. This is probably because of confusion with the 17th century priest who had  a similar name, Father Claude Bernard. Father Bernard, who popularized the prayer, learned it from his father.
Father Bernard, enthusiastically,  preached to prisoners who were condemned to death. Using the Memorare to a great extent, he entrusted his prayers to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. Many prisoners were reconciled to God through his work.
The Memorare first appears as part of a longer 15th century prayer, "Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria."  The modern version is taken from that indulgenced by Pope Pius IX in 1846, Raccolta, #339
 







Hand Crafted "One of a Kind" and Limited Edition Rosaries, 
Religious Jewelry and Original Art







Domenico Ghirlandaio
Visitation
1486

Gardenias4Lina
Hand Crafted "One of a Kind" ,  Limited Edition  and Custom Made Rosaries, Chaplets and  Religious Jewelry.  Also Including  Original Art
Welcome to Mary's Page
Prayers

We want to share some well known ~ and not so well known ~ Marian prayers.
Because each prayer is so rich in our Catholic tradition and history, we are  including a little background with each.  If you have a favorite Marian prayer or some information about a prayer and would like it included  please e-mail us. We would love to hear from you.