Ave Maria

• Score
• Pronunciation tutorial
• Sung by Schola Sanctae Scholasticae and St. Cecilia’s Abbey, UK
• Sung by the Christmas Ensemble of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Claremont, California.
• Sung, chanted first, followed by a polyphonic setting, said to be by Victoria.

Notes on the Text

We say in English “full of grace,” but in Latin “full with grace.” It sounds better if we say “filled.” Hail, Mary, you are full, you are filled. With what are you filled? With grace.

Maybe this language conveys a little better the fact that grace comes from outside, from above, from God. Mary is not full of grace as though it were something she produced within herself or by her own nature.

Hail Mary, full of grace,

Latin not only omits “the” (because there is no word for it), but also “is” (because it is just understood). So we have to insert both words in the English translation:

“The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.”

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.