Out of all the devotions to Our Lady, there is one that is very special: that of praying three Hail Marys every day is one of the greatest means of salvation, and one of the surest signs of predestination to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.
It’s good if you ask about the origin of this devotion.The practice of saying the Hail Mary three times dates at least to the 12th century.
It is a traditional devotion for the Roman Catholic by the practice of saying three Three Hail Marys as a petition for purity and other virtues. This devotion is usually prayed after waking in the morning, and before going to bed, following a good examination of conscience at night.
This devotion was observed by Franciscans and eventually developed into the Angelus Prayer.
Therefore, it has been recommended as a daily obligation for people who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation that they pray the Three Hail Marys every day.
Many saints are said to have received revelations from the Blessed Virgin Mary regarding this devotion and have practiced and recommended this devotion in honor of Mary’s purity for the grace of a chaste and holy life.
One of the first persons to practice and endorse this devotion was St. Anthony of Padua (1195–1231). His actual purpose was to honor the spotless Virginity of Mary and to preserve a perfect purity of mind, heart, and body in the midst of the dangers of the world.
According to St. Gertrude (1256–1301), the Blessed Virgin Mary made the following promises when she revealed herself to St. Gertrude about this devotion saying that “To any soul who devoutly prays the Three Hail Marys, I will appear at the hour of death in a great fame of beauty so extraordinary that it will fill the soul with heavenly benefits.”
This practice was also revealed to Saint Mechtilde. St. Mechtilde was a nun who lived in the 13th century. Our Mother Mary appeared to her while she was pleading for Her assistance at the hour of her death and Our Mother Mary said to her: “I will do this, but I would want you to pray three Hail Marys every day in honor of the fact that God has lifted me up above all the rest of world, filling me with every gift and grace in its Divine Fullness, especially in this format: “Offer the first Hail Mary in honor of the Power that God the Father has granted unto me, and I will use that Power at the tme of your death to keep any hostile power from you.
“Offer the second Hail Mary in honor of the Wisdom that God the Son has granted unto me, and I will use that Wisdom at the time of your death to penetrate your soul with the Light of Faith and knowledge, so that all the darkness of ignorance and error will be dispelled.
“Offer the third Hail Mary in honor of the Love that God the Holy Spirit has showered on me. It is the sweetness of His Own Love in its fullness. And I will use that Love at the time of your death to change the bitterness of death into Divine sweetness and delight.”
Another saint who is a Doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787) adopted this pious practice and highly endorsed it. He told parents to acquire the habit of saying three Hail Marys in the morning and evening to train their children. After each Hail Mary, he went further to advise that the following prayer be said: “By thy pure and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my soul holy.”
Other saints who also recommended this devotion are as follows: St. John Bosco and St. Leonard of Port Maurice, St. Bonaventure, St. John Berchmans, St. John Baptist Mary Vianney (Cure of Ars), St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, St. John Joseph of the Cross, St. John Baptist de Rossi, St. Gerard Majella, Blessed Marcellinus Champagnat, , St. Gemma Galgani, and St. Josemaría Escrivá.
Lastly, do not forget that Our Lady is just as ready now as She was then, to assist all those who will turn to Her for help to change their lives and save their souls. Why not start today? Just three Hail Marys. The sacrifice you would make for a few minutes a day may just lead to an unending eternity of happiness.
