An ‘alternative’ version of Aba Ginoong Maria, the Tagalog-based translation of “Hail Mary,” has been approved and released by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday. 

Through a news advisory on its official news site, CBCP announced its approval of an “alternative Filipino version of the Hail Mary Prayer.”

“The Ave Maria was approved during the CBCP’s recent plenary assembly as an alternative to the Tagalog-based Aba Ginoong Maria,” it added.

According to CBCP’s statement, Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin noted that the new edition– shorter in length than its older version– isn’t meant to be a replacement, but only provides “a more faithful and accurate rendition of the original Latin text.”

“[It’s] more contextualized, simple and adaptable to the changing times, as well as enhances our understanding and appreciation of the significance and richness of its biblico-theological foundation,” Pantin, according to the released statement, said.

In essence, the CBCP believes that these revisions are based on guiding principles such as biblical accuracy, simplicity in conveying a message, and the adaptability to the country’s changing social milieu.

Additionally, the decision to issue a simpler version of the prayer coincides with the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of 2025, as well as the 50th anniversary of the February 2, 1975-issued CBCP pastoral letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary entitled “Ang Mahal na Birheng Maria.”

Below is the text of the newly issued alternative Filipino version of Aba Ginoong Maria/Hail Mary:

“AVE MARIA”
Ave Maria, puno ka ng grasya
Ang Panginoon ay sumasaiyo
Pinagpala ka sa kababaihan, 
at pinagpala ang bunga ng iyong sinapupunan na si Jesus

Santa Maria, Ina ng Diyos
Ipanalangin mo kaming makasalanan
Ngayon, at sa oras ng aming kamatayan, 
Amen.