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Ave Maria: The Hail Mary in Latin
Read the complete Ave Maria in ecclesiastical Latin with an English translation. Learn its biblical origins, two-part structure, and the meaning of gratia plena.
Part of the Latin prayers prayer collection.
In brief
The Ave Maria is the Latin form of the Hail Mary. It joins the Angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary, Elizabeth's greeting at the Visitation, and the Church's later petition asking Mary to pray for sinners. The traditional text is:
The two parts of the prayer
The biblical greeting
The first part combines the angel's greeting at the Annunciation in Luke 1:28 with Elizabeth's blessing at the Visitation in Luke 1:42. It praises what God is doing in Mary's life and names Jesus as the blessed fruit of her womb.
The Church's petition
The second part asks Mary, described in Catholic teaching as Mother of God, to pray for sinners now and at the hour of death. Catholics do not worship Mary as God; asking a saint to pray is understood as a request for intercession within worship of the one God.
Latin and English text
| Latin | English |
| --- | --- |
| Ave Maria, gratia plena, | Hail Mary, full of grace, |
| Dominus tecum. | the Lord is with thee. |
| Benedicta tu in mulieribus, | Blessed art thou among women, |
| et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. | and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. |
| Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, | Holy Mary, Mother of God, |
| ora pro nobis peccatoribus, | pray for us sinners, |
| nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. | now and at the hour of our death. |
| Amen. | Amen. |
Use the line-by-line table for study and the continuous text below for prayer:
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.
Source and tradition: traditional Catholic prayer in Latin. Spelling, punctuation, and pronunciation guides may vary between editions and musical settings.
What does gratia plena mean?
Gratia plena is traditionally translated as "full of grace." The phrase comes from the angel's greeting in Luke 1:28 and is central to Catholic reflection on Mary's unique grace. Catholic doctrine on the Immaculate Conception reads this biblical greeting together with the Church's wider teaching; the phrase should not be treated as an isolated proof-text or as a claim that Mary is divine.
How to pray or sing the Ave Maria
- Read the English translation once so the Latin words remain understood.
- Pray the text slowly, especially if you are learning pronunciation.
- In the Rosary, use it on each small bead while meditating on the mystery.
- If singing, follow the approved setting or the direction of your choir; musical Latin may lengthen or repeat words.
- If a parish provides a particular pronunciation or text, follow that local form for communal prayer.
A simple pronunciation starting point
Ecclesiastical Latin is commonly pronounced in an Italianate way. In Ave Maria, the c in gratia is often softened, and Iesus is commonly pronounced with a y-like opening sound. Regional choir traditions differ, so listen to a trusted parish or choral recording for a complete guide.
Sources & Tradition
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hail Mary in Latin?
It is the Ave Maria: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. The complete prayer continues with the blessing of Mary and Jesus, then asks Mary to pray for sinners now and at the hour of death.
What does Ave Maria mean?
Ave Maria means "Hail Mary" or "Greetings, Mary." It is the Latin opening of the prayer.
What does gratia plena mean?
Gratia plena means "full of grace" in the traditional English translation. It comes from the angel's greeting in Luke 1:28 and is interpreted within Catholic teaching about Mary's grace and vocation.
When is the Ave Maria prayed?
It is prayed in the Rosary, in Marian devotions, and in private prayer. It is also used in musical settings and in connection with the Church's prayer at different times of day.
Is praying to Mary worship?
Catholic theology distinguishes worship owed to God from honor given to Mary and the saints. The words "pray for us" ask for intercession; they do not treat Mary as a goddess or replace prayer to God.