The Christian era of history started at the moment of the conception of Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells how the angel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce to her what was happening (the Annunciation).

Gospel of Saint Luke, chapter 1:

“And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.”

That greeting of the angel has been used  ever since — and  is still used all the time, by Christians, as a prayer, the wording of which is usually as follows:

“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 today still recite the prayer in Latin, as has been done traditionally for 21 centuries.

“Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.”

The Latin “Hail Mary” has been set to music by many of the world’s greatest composers — some of the most beautiful words in the world, set to some of the most beautiful music in the world.

Listen to this. Follow the words in Latin as you listen.

Make the words your own prayer to Our Lord’s mother.