Hail Mary

Bishop of Paris (1196-1208), Eudes de Sully formulated the Hail Mary by adding a conclusion to the Marian antiphons of the feasts of the Annunciation and the Visitation, which echoed the words of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.

This prayer then spread throughout Europe along with the synodal statutes that Eudes de Sully promulgated for the Diocese of Paris, which inspired many other bishops. You can listen to the Hail Mary sung in the choir of Notre-Dame here:

 

Hail Mary,
full of Grace,
the Lord is with thee.
blessed art thou among 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 death.
Amen.