Chaire Kecharitomene, Krisi Keley, 2016 (after the style of the Esquilache Immaculate Conception by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo)
Luke 1:26-34: And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.
Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said to her; Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever.
And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?
(The Holy Bible, Douay-Rheims Version, 2000: Tan Books)
Some links to articles about the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception and the biblical significance of St. Gabriel's unique greeting, Chaire, Kecharitomene (Hail, Full of Grace):
https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/marya2.htm
http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=50095
http://kecharitomene.com/
As someone who studied languages and linguistics and who loves words, for me these articles were fascinating in and of themselves, but also, for a reflection on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), is to note not only the significance in the uniqueness of the words in St. Gabriel's salutation, Hail, Full of Grace, but the way in which Mary received this greeting. Namely, that even before God's angel delivered the, seemingly, more astonishing news that she, a virgin, would bear the Son of the Most High, and without having known man (for no word shall be impossible with God), Mary was already troubled by the words of the greeting itself and over what such an extraordinary salutation might mean.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among 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.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
A blessing filled feast of the Immaculate Conception to all.
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