Francis of Assisi happily took his place in the long succession of generations that have called the Virgin Mary blessed.  His first biographer tells how he sang special hymns to her, pouring out prayers to the Mother of God so many and so great that no human tongue could recount them.

            Eight centuries later, the followers of St. Francis are still singing his exuberant Lady-praises, which the CATECHISM can expand into a concise summary of the Church’s Marian doctrine.

HAIL, HOLY LADY, MOST HOLY QUEEN,

Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God,
is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit
in the fullness of time.
(CATECHISM #721)

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD!

The One whom she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
was none other than the Father’s eternal Son,
the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly the Mother of God.
(#495)

HAIL, HIS PALACE!

Mary is the place where the glory of the Lord dwells.
(#2676)

HAIL, HIS TABERNACLE!

Mary was, by sheer grace, conceived without sin
as the most humble of creatures,
the most capable of welcoming
the inexpressible gift of the Almighty.
(#722)

HAIL, HIS ROBE!

Filled with the Holy Spirit,
Mary makes the Word visible in the humility of His flesh.

(#724)

HAIL, HIS HANDMAID!

With her whole being, Mary is the handmaid of the Lord.
(#510)

HAIL, HIS MOTHER!

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