"Hail." This was the word used by the people of that country in saluting
one another when they met. We say when meeting anyone we know, "Good
day," or "How do you do?" or some such familiar expression used by all
in salutation. So these people, instead of saying, "Good day," etc.,
said "Hail" i.e., I wish you health, I greet you, etc. The angel did not
say "Mary," because she was the only one present to address.

"Full of grace." When anything is full it has no room for more. God's
grace and sin cannot exist in the same place. Therefore when the Blessed
Virgin was full of grace, there was no room for sin. So she was without
any sin and gifted with every virtue.

"Holy Mary," because one full of grace must be holy.

"Mother of God," because her Son was true God and true man in the one
person of Christ, Our Lord.

"Pray for us," because she has more power with her Son than all the
other saints.

"Sinners," and therefore we need forgiveness.

"At the hour of our death" especially, because that is the most
important time for us. No matter how bad we have been during our lives,
if God gives us the grace to die in His friendship, we shall be His
friends forever. On the other hand, no matter how good we may have been
for a part of our lives, if we become bad before death, and die in that
state, we shall be separated from God forever, and be condemned to
eternal punishment. It would be wrong, therefore, to live in sin, with a