Ave Maria

May: The Month of Mary

May 13: Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

By the word Ave, which is the name of Eve, Eva, Mary learned that God in his infinite power and majesty had preserved her from all sin and its resulting misery which the first woman had been subject to.

The name Mary means “lady of light” which shows that God has filled her with wisdom and light, like a shining star, to light up heaven and earth.

With the angel Gabriel’s announcement, the fullness of time had come. That sign of God's promise, a virgin with child, was now made known to us, and her name was Mary.

Along with God's angel we exclaim, "Greetings", or "Rejoice". God invited Mary to rejoice in the coming of the Messiah. How could she help but rejoice, realizing that she was the woman promised in the book of Genesis to bring the Prince of Peace into the world?

Each time we greet her with another Hail Mary, we join in her joy and her gratitude to God.

The “Hail Mary” gives glory to the Blessed Trinity, and it is also the very highest praise that we can give to Mary.

The words, “full of grace”, remind us that the Holy Spirit has showered so many graces upon her that she is able to give these graces in abundance to those who ask for them through her intercession.

When we pray, “the Lord is with thee”, we recall the indescribable joy that was hers when the eternal Word became incarnate in her womb.

When we pray, “blessed art thou among women”, we praise the mercy of God who has raised her to this exalted degree of joyfulness.

And at the words, “blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus”, the whole of heaven rejoices with her to see her Son Jesus adored and glorified for having saved humanity.