tion.
A. Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
amongst 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.

Q. 28. What is a salutation?
A. A salutation is the customary words or actions by which the people of
a country greet one another.

Q. 29. Why is this salutation called Angelical?
A. This salutation is called Angelical because it was given by an angel.

Q. 30. What does "hail" mean?
A. "Hail" means, I wish you health. It is an exclamation of respectful
greeting.

Q. 31. How is the "Hail Mary" divided?
A. The "Hail Mary" is divided into two parts. The first part, made by
the Angel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth, contains the praises of the Mother
of God; and the second part, added by the Church, begs her intercession
for sinners.

Q. 32. Why is the "Hail Mary" usually placed after the Lord's Prayer?
A. The "Hail Mary" is usually placed after the Our Father because it is
an inspired prayer, the most excellent after the Lord's Prayer, and also
that the Blessed Mother may, by her powerful intercession, aid us in
obtaining what we ask.

Q. 33. Who was St. Elizabeth?
A. St. Elizabeth was the mother of St. John the Baptist and the cousin
of the Blessed Virgin.

Q. 34. What answer did the Blessed Virgin make to the words of St.
Elizabeth?
A. The Blessed Virgin answered St. Elizabeth in the words of the
beautiful Magnificat.

Q. 35. What is the Magnificat?
A. The Magnificat is the splendid canticle or hymn in which the Blessed
Virgin praises God and returns Him thanks for the great things He has
done for her. It is usually sung at Vespers in the Church.

Q. 36. Why do we address Mary as "full of grace"?
A. We address Mary as "full of grace" because she was never guilty of
the slightest sin; was endowed with every virtue, and blessed with a
constant increase of grace in her soul.

Q. 37. Why do we say "the Lord is with thee"?
A. We say "the Lord is with thee," for besides being with her as He is
with all His creatures on account of His presence everywhere; and as He
is with the good on account of their virtue, He is with Mary in a very
special manner on account of her dignity as Mother of His Son.

Q. 38. Why is Mary called "blessed amongst women"?
A. Mary is called "blessed amongst women" on account of her personal
holiness, her great dignity as Mother of God, and her freedom from
original sin.