Close to March 25, 1933, when Monsignor Juan Riu was fifteen and a half years old, his co-seminarian said: “Riu, there is a pious belief assuring that any grace asked from the Virgin Mary will be granted to whoever prays the 2000 Hail Marys. ”

Those words remained deep in his mind and since then, every March 25, which is the feast of the Annunciation, he recited with great devotion, the 2000 Hail Marys. He had asked three favours from Our Lady: to become a Salesian, a priest and a missionary. And then, he waited trustfully for Our Lady to grant his requests. 

On June 27, 1935, he made his vows as a Salesian. On June 15, 1946, he was ordained a priest in Madrid, Spain. And on August 30, 1952, he was assigned to San Juan, Puerto Rico and started his missionary apostolate in the poorest slum. During his 45 years as a priest, he had been promoting this devotion with great success. Many people, as well, have done the same devotion and they have testified that their petitions have been granted, some instantly while others, at a later time. 

Today, the 2000 Hail Marys is a popular devotion throughout the world. 

Evangelizing in Calgary, AB

The Cooperators Sodality of Calgary, AB invite you to participate in this private devotion of the 2000 Hail Marys to Our Lady, asking Her for any kind of favours, and trust that God will grant them through Our Lady’s powerful intercession. Contact us for more information.

Time schedule

Begin with the Scriptural Rosary (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries) followed by:

The opening prayers; Act of consecration to the Holy Spirit; Consecration of the human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; Prayer to defeat the work of satan; Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel; Prayer to our Guardian Angel; Act of contrition.

Start the 2000 Hail Marys until completed. 

Participants may individually take breaks at any time for breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner. The devotion may be interrupted only at: 

12:00 (Noon)– The Angelus 3: 00pm – Chaplet of Divine Mercy 6: 00pm – The Angelus

There are 20 general petitions. Every petition is read before each 100 Hail Marys. If you are in a group, designate each person to lead the prayer of a round of 100 Hail Marys, i. e. , if there are 10 people in the group, each one must lead two rounds of the Rosary to complete the 2000 Hail Marys. If more than 20 are present or are to be expected, each member may pray one round of the Hail Marys first. The expectation is to finish the 2000 Hail Marys in 7 to 9 hours.