"A devout servant of Mary shall never perish"
~ Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Saint Anthony of Padua was one of the first promoters of the practice of praying three Hail Mary's in the morning and evening in order to obtain purity of mind, body, and soul. Another Franciscan saint, Saint Leonard Port-Maurice promulgated this devotion, asking the Blessed Virgin to preserve him from mortal sin during the day and night - this great servant of God also promised salvation to anyone who would practice this devotion. It was revealed to Saint Melchtilde that whoever perserveres devoutly in this pious practice will be given the greatest gift - a good death. The Doctor of the Church, Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori adopted this devotion and promoted it to all Catholics, regardless of age or vocation, and instructed parents to make sure that their children prayed three Hail Mary's first thing in the morning and before bed. This devotion has even met with papal approval, as Pope Saint Pius X gave it the Apostolic Blessing. Therefore, let us make it our practice that upon rising each morning, we should kneel down and pray three Hail Mary's in honour of the graces bestowed upon the Most Blessed Virgin Mary and ask Her to give us the gift of holy perserverence, protect us from mortal sin throughout the day, and give us the graces to do the Will of Her Most Holy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Then in the evening, we ought to pray three Hail Mary's in thanksgiving for all the graces that Our Mother has obtained for us during the day and ask for a quiet night and a good death. No one can go to Heaven without the aid of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who Christ has given to us as our Mother.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou amongst 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.
