Biblical Evidence in Support of the "Hail Mary"

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 our death. Amen.

This simple prayer has been the focus of controversy for our Protestant brothers and sisters. However, there is much Biblical support for each line of the Hail Mary. Let's go line-by-line:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Luke 1:28, "[The angel Gabriel said to Mary], 'Hail, favored one [or, 'full of grace']! The Lord is with you.'"

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Luke 1:41-42, ". . . Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, 'Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.'"

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Luke 1:43, "And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Angels (Revelation 8:3-4) and saints (Revelation 5:8) offer the "prayers of the holy ones" to God.