Saint Bernard (1090-1153)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.)
