MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) approved “Ave Maria,” an “alternative” Filipino version of the “Hail Mary” prayer, during its recent plenary assembly.
“Ave Maria” is a Latin phrase that literally translates to “Hail Mary.”
CBCP secretary-general Monsignor Bernardo Pantin clarified in a CBCP News report that the new, “more contextualized” version will not replace “Aba Ginoong Maria,” the existing local version of the prayer. Instead, he said, it enhances Catholics’ understanding of the prayer’s “biblico-theological foundation.”
What changed? According to the CBCP, the revision was “guided by principles including biblical accuracy, simplicity, prayerfulness, adaptability to contemporary life, and synodality — ensuring unity among all.”
Below are the two local versions side by side, as posted by CBCP News.
The revision was made 50 years after the CBCP released “Ang Mahal na Birheng Maria,” a pastoral letter that discusses the relationship between Filipinos and Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
Catholics typically say the “Hail Mary” when praying the Holy Rosary — a form of prayer where the faithful ask Mary to pray on their behalf.
What do you think of the “alternative” Filipino version? Share your thoughts in the faith chat room of the Rappler Communities app. – Rappler.com