His ardent Marian devotion brought forth the prayer that has come down to us
under the title A SALUTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (also called The
SALUTE or The PRAISES). Here we
find Franciscan devotion to Our Lady at its deepest, its simplest, its most
theological and most exuberant level – all at the same time!
May these praises help us in cultivating a devotion to the Mother of Christ
that is deep and true, and that enables us to be daily renewed in our Gospel
ideals by following more faithfully in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, under
the shadow and protection of His Immaculate Mother.
Hail,
holy Lady, most holy Queen,
Mary, holy Mother of God,
who are the Virgin made Church,
chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven
whom He consecrated with His most holy beloved
Son
and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
in whom there was and is all fullness of grace
and every good.
Hail, His Palace!
Hail, His Tabernacle!
Hail, His Dwelling!
Hail, His Robe!
Hail, His Handmaid!
Hail, His Mother!
And hail, all You holy virtues
which are poured into the hearts of the faithful
through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy
Spirit,
that from being unbelievers,
You may make them faithful to God.
