Ave, María, grátia plena

May is the month of Mary.

At the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century, the practice of offering a special or votive Mass to Mary on Saturdays was included in the Roman Missal. The Second Vatican Council also supported this tradition.

Catholics are called to do something special to honor Mary on Saturdays, especially during the Saturdays of May. This may include attending a Saturday morning Mass, doing a special work of charity, or praying the rosary.

Recently, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged teens to learn the Latin text for key prayers, including the Hail Mary. Consider helping teens to memorize the Hail Mary in Latin. You may also wish to play a recording of Ave Maria to help them in their task.

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.

Ave, María, grátia plena,
Dóminus tecum.
Benedicta tu in muliéribus,
et benedíctus fructus ventris
tui, Iesus.
Sancta María, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen.