Hail Mary: The Prayer and a Personal Petition to Our Lady
The angel's greeting, Elizabeth's praise, and the Church's plea for Mary's prayers
Morning Prayer editorial team · Updated: November 2026
The Hail Mary joins the words of the angel Gabriel and of Elizabeth with the Church's request for Mary's intercession. Pray it slowly, then add the personal prayer that follows.
Let us pray
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.
Mary, I greet you as the angel did, with wonder. God chose you, filled you with grace, and asked for your yes. You gave it without knowing where it would lead, and because you did, Jesus came into the world.
I ask you to pray for me now, in the middle of this ordinary day with its worries and its half-finished tasks. You know what it is to wait, to wonder, to lose track of your Son and search for Him. You know what it is to stand helpless at the foot of a cross. Pray for me in the things I am waiting for and the things I am afraid of.
And pray for me at the hour of my death, whenever it comes. I do not want to face that moment alone. Be there as you were there for Jesus. Take my hand and bring me to Him.
Mother, I give you my family, my friends, and the people who have asked me to pray. Keep us all under your mantle and lead us to your Son. Amen.
Blessing
May Mary, Mother of God, keep you close to Jesus now and at the hour of your death.
How to pray this prayer
- Find a quiet moment and breathe slowly.
- Read the prayer aloud or in your heart.
- Add your own intention before the Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the words of the Hail Mary come from?
The first half comes from the Gospel of Luke: the angel Gabriel's greeting and Elizabeth's words at the Visitation. The second half is the Church's prayer asking Mary to intercede for us.
Do Catholics worship Mary when they pray the Hail Mary?
No. Catholics honor Mary and ask her to pray for them, just as you might ask a friend to pray. Worship belongs to God alone. The prayer itself asks Mary to pray for us, not to save us.
How many Hail Marys are in a rosary?
A standard five-decade rosary includes fifty-three Hail Marys: three at the beginning and ten in each of the five decades.
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