In favour of the Hail Mary.
A defense of the "Hail Mary" prayer.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee.
These are words straight from Scripture said by the Holy Saint Gabriel during the Annunciation in Luke 1:28
Blessed art thou amongs women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
These are words straight from Scripture exclamed by Elizabeth when being visited by Mary in Luke 1:41-42. Verse 41 even tells us that Elizabeth was filled by the Holy Spirit right before saying this, giving the saying greater authority.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
In Luke 1:43, Elizabeth says that it is extraordinary for her to be visited by "the Mother of my Lord". Additionally, we know that the human essence and divine essence of Christ can not be separated, Jesus is fully man and fully God, inseparable. Therefore Mary is without doubt the Mother of God.
pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
This part of the prayer asks Mary to intercede for us and pray for us to her Son, our Lord. I have a separate article on the intercession of the Saints and praying to Saints which you can read here.