Est enim urbanissima, curialissima Regina, gloriosa Virgo Maria.

Saint Bernard (1090-1153)

seeing Our Lady's statue

greeted Her with

"Salve Regina!" or "Ave Maria!"

to his surprise he heard Her reply

"Salve Bernarde!" or "Ave Bernarde!"



When a man devoutly salutes the Virgin

he is saluted by Her in return.

For amongst all Queens,

the Glorious Virgin Mary is

the most polite, the most courteous.



It is impossible to greet Her

without receiving a greeting in return.



That is why,

if throughout the day

you say devoutly "Ave Maria!" a thousand times

you will be saluted a thousand times

by the holy Virgin.



Quam homo devote salutat Virginem

resalutatur ab illa.



Est enim urbanissima,

curialissima Regina,

gloriosa Virgo Maria.



Nec postest salutari

sine resalutatione miranda.



Si mille Ave Maria dicis in die, devote,

millies a Virgine resalutaris.



(St. Bernadine of Sienna

1380-1444.)