The History of Traditional Marian Prayers
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The Angelus
 The name of this prayer derives from the first Latin word ('angel'). The Angelus was not officially approved in its current form until 1724 by Pope Benedict XIV, who prescribed the prayers be said at dawn (6am), noon (12pm) and dusk (6pm) throughout the year except during the Easter season when the Regina Coeli was to be recited. Originally, three Hail Marys were said, with the words of the Incarnation coming into popular usage as time passed. An Angelus bell (three slow peals) would ring calling the faithful to prayer at the appropriate times, which has varied historical origins:
  • Evening
    Francicans of Assisi ring a 'Hail Mary Bell' in 1269 to call to mind the Incarnation
    Pope John XXII approves the now widespread custom of the bell and three Hail Marys in 1318
  • Morning
    The three Hail Marys and ringing of the bell is done at dawn as well as in the evening in Parma, Italy, 1318
    The custom spreads rapidly throughout Europe
  • Midday
    Pope Callistus III orders the practice of the bell and Hail Marys at midday as an 'Angelus of Peace' in 1456
    Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
     The origin of the prayer is disupted between Petrus of Monsoro (d. about 1000), Bishop of Compostella, and Adhémar, Bishop of Podium, the first to answer the call to a Crusade. It was definitely popularized and set in its current form by Bernard of Clairvaux and the Abbey of Cluny in the 12th century. From that time, it has enjoyed wide liturgical use from the Mass to the Divine Office.
    Hail Mary
     The early history of the Hail Mary is not clear, as the words are taken from Scripture and it is difficult to ascertain when the greeting/prayer was distinctly used. One source attributes the distinct use of the first half to St. Idlefonsus of Toledo in the 7th century. Its use as a salutation and prayer begin to appear from frequently in the 11th and 12th centuries, though the first half only was regarded as the 'Hail Mary'. Here are the parts of the prayer:
  • Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee (Luke 1:28 with 'Mary' gradually added by the Church)
  • Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus ( Luke 1:42 with 'Jesus' being added by Pope Urban IV in 1261)
  • Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen (based on the declaration of the Council of Ephesus in 431, this part of the prayer appeared in the mid-15th century, being codified by the Council of Trent in 1568)
    Magnificat
     This is the only hymn of praise composed by the Blessed Virgin Mary, as recorded in Luke 1:46-55. It is delivered as a response to her cousin Elizabeth's greeting ("Blessed art though among women...") on the occasion of the Visitation. The name derives from the first Latin word in the hymn, which is often used as a prayer.
    Memorare
     The Memorare, from the Latin 'remember' which is the first word in the Latin translation, was traditionally thought to have been composed by the Cisterian St. Bernard of Clairvaux. It was popularized in the 15th century by a French priest, Claude Bernard (who some also attribute its origin). It emphasizes Mary's role as intercessor and her unbroken history of answering the prayer of those who call to her.
    Queen of Heaven (Regina Coeli)
     The first lines of the Regina Coeli (from the Latin words which begin the prayer) were spoken by angels to St. Gregory the Great in the 7th century on an Easter morning as he was in procession. He added the fourth line. It continued to be used with a prayer added later, and was officially designated as an alternate prayer to the Angelus by Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century.
    Sub Tuum
     This prayer was found on a 3rd century papyrus in Egypt, making it one of the oldest verifiable prayers to Mary. It emphasizes the Blessed Virgin's role as intercessor, and is one of the few non-European prayers to gain popularity in the Latin Rite Church.
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