Chinese traditional prayers to the Virgin Mary

Chinese Marian Prayer

The traditional Chinese prayers to the Virgin Mary are a treasure of Chinese Catholic spirituality. Composed over the centuries by Chinese missionaries, priests and lay people, these prayers express the faith and devotion of the Chinese Catholic people in their own language and cultural sensitivity.

The prayer of the Hail Mary in Cantonese dialect

萬福瑪利亞，你充滿聖寵，主與你同在。你在婦女中受讚頌，你的親子耶穌同受讚頌。天主聖母瑪利亞，求你現在和我們臨終時，為我們罪人祈求天主。亞孟。

The translation of the Hail Mary into Cantonese was made by the Portuguese missionaries of Macao in the 16th century. This version is used by the Catholics of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

The prayer of the Father in Fukienese dialect (hokkien)

咱在天的父，願祢的名受尊為聖，願祢的國來臨，願祢的旨意成就在人間，如同在天上。求祢今天賞給咱日用的食糧，求祢寬恕咱的罪過，如同咱寬恕別人一樣。不要讓咱陷於誘惑，但救咱免於凶惡。亞孟。

The translation of the Father into the hokkien was made by the Dominican missionaries in the 17th century. This version is used by the Catholics of Fujian, Taiwan and South-East Asia.

The prayer of the Regina Hail in Mandarin

Blessed Mother, merciful Mother, our lives, our glamour, our hope. Children of Erva, in this world, cry to you. In this valley of aldicarb, wept to you. Our Lord, look back and have mercy on us. Once exile has expired, we will be able to see your son, Jesus, the Praised of all the people. Virgin Mary, you are the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious. Pray for us, Mother Mother of God, and grant us the grace of Christ. Amen.

The prayer of the Hail Regina in dialect hakka

I'll wait for life, I'll wait for hope. Children of Erva, in this world, cry to you. In this valley of aldicarb, wept to you. We shall wait for a guardian, so look back, and have mercy on us. Once exile ends, I can wait to see you, a son and a people to celebrate Jesus. Virgin Mary, you are kind, kind, sweet. Pray for us, Mother of God, that we may be granted the grace of Christ. Amen.

The translation of the Salve Regina into the hakka was made by the missionaries in the 19th century. This version is used by Catholics of the hakka ethnic group, scattered by Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi and Southeast Asia.

The meaning of prayers in Chinese languages

The traditional Chinese prayers to the Virgin Mary are an expression of the inculturation of the Catholic faith in Chinese culture. The translation of prayers into Chinese languages and dialects has been a long and complex process, carried out by many generations of missionaries and laity.

The prayers in Chinese languages are a bridge between the universal Catholic faith and Chinese cultural identity. In each prayer, the Chinese faithful express their faith in their own language and cultural sensitivity, maintaining communion with the universal Church.