Ave Maria

I attended a funeral Mass Monday.  The Ave Maria was sung to the music written by Shubert while the altar was readied for the Eucharist.  I thought I'd share the Latin and English translation here.

Ave Maria Prayer : The Latin text of the Ave Maria prayer

set to the music by Franz Schubert

Ave Maria Gratia plena

Maria Gratia plena

Maria Gratia plena

Ave, ave dominus

Dominus tecum

Benedicta tu in mulieribus

Et benedictus

Et benedictus fructus ventris

Ventris tui Jesus

Ave Maria

Ave Maria Mater dei

Ora pro nobis pecatoribus

Ora, ora pro nobis

Ora ora pro nobis pecatoribus

Nunc et in hora mortis

In hora mortis, mortis nostrae

In hora mortis nostrae

Ave Maria!

The Latin text of the Ave Maria prayer

set to the music by Franz Schubert

It is the prayer that so many of us, Catholics, take for granted.  Schubert's music and the liturgical Latin just heighten the beauty of the prayer.

Ave Maria Gratia plena

Hail, Mary, full of Grace

Luke 1:28:  Gabriel said, "Hail, full of Grace..." The Church just added her name here because that is the name of the person called "full of grace" by an angel.  Interestingly, the only other time this phrase (Gr. Kecharitomenae) is used in the NT is for her Son, Jesus in John 1:14. 

Ave, ave dominus

Dominus tecum

the Lord is with you

Luke 1:28 cont:  "...The Lord is with you." 

Benedicta tu in mulieribus

Blessed are you among women

Luke 1:42:  Elizabeth said, "Blessed are you among women..."

Et benedictus fructus ventris

Ventris tui Jesus

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.    

 
Luke 1:42 cont:  "...and blessed is the fruit of your womb."  Jesus' name was added here, for obvious reasons. 

Ave Maria Mater dei

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Luke 1:43, Elizabeth also said, "Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?"
Elizabeth actually becomes the first to use this title for Mary, her cousin. If Mary is full of Grace, then see is holy.  Since we Catholics, and most mainstream Christians believe Jesus Christ to be God the Son, and Mary is His mother, how could one object to this title?  God-bearer (Theotokos) is just as acceptable and just as true.

Ora pro nobis pecatoribus

Pray for us, sinners

Luke 2:34: Simeon's prophecy included, "...so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare."

and in John's Gospel (2:3-5) it says, "3 And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.'  4 Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.'  5 His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'

Mary will according to Simeon's prophecy hear the secret thoughts of others and in the Gospel of John, she asks Jesus a favor and prepares for the request to be fulfilled.

Nunc et In hora mortis nostrae

now, and at the hour of our death.

From 2 Maccabees 12, it says, 44 "For had he not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, 45 whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout."

Amen.

As we can see the "Hail, Mary" prayer can be seen in the tradition of Scripture which is part of the Tradition of His Church.  The Mysteries of the Rosary that we pray every time are Scripturally-based also.  It is a wonderful way to meditate on Scripture.

“Joyful Mysteries” (Mon & Sat)

First Decade: The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Second Decade: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
Third Decade: The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)
Fourth Decade: The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
Fifth Decade: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

"Luminous Mysteries” (Thurs.)
First Decade: The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
Second Decade: The Wedding at Cana, when Christ manifested Himself (Jn 2:1-11)
Third Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
Fourth Decade: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8)
Fifth Decade: The Last Supper, when Our Lord gave us the Holy Eucharist (Mt 26)

“Sorrowful Mysteries” (Tues & Fri)
First Decade: The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
Second Decade: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
Third Decade: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
Fourth Decade: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
Fifth Decade: The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)

“Glorious Mysteries” (Wed & Sun)
First Decade: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
Second Decade: The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
Third Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
Fourth Decade: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (Song of Songs 2:2,10-11)
Fifth Decade: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth (Gn 3:15a) (Jdt 13:18) (Jdt 15:9) (Rv 12:1) (Sir 24:4) (Sir 14:9) (Cor 4:17) (Lk 8:21)(Gal 4:19)
(From CatholicBridge.com)

You can learn the Rosary here and here