The Three Hail Marys

~ “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.” ~

The devotion known as The Three Hail Marys goes back many centuries. It has been recommended down through those centuries by very many great saints. St. Mechtilde (1241-1298), a Benedictine nun, was visited by the Blessed Virgin who explained to her that the Three Hail Marys gave honor to the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity and were to be recited with this in mind. The Virgin Mary also appeared to St. Gertrude (1256-1301) and told her: “To any soul who faithfully prays the Three Hail Marys I will appear at the hour of death in a splendor of beauty so extraordinary that it will fill the soul with Heavenly consolation.”

~ “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.” ~

Many folks recite the Three Hail Marys at night before bed in petition for the virtue of purity. Or other things/virtues. Now some might wonder why these things should be. I can think of many objections that could be raised from various quarters. But getting into those areas, well, that’s not really the purpose of this blog. Truth is strong enough to stand on its own without my propping it up. If Truth needs ME to prop it up we’re ALL in trouble. 😉 I think the answer is simple and straightforward enough. Would not any truly loving mother want to teach her children worthwhile spiritual exercises? And, being children and thus immature, wouldn’t she of necessity keep things simple?

~ “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.” ~