The prayer "Ave Maria" consists of three parts: the first part is the Angelic Salutation, where the angel Gabriel's words to Mary are repeated. The second part is a plea for Mary's intercession with God on behalf of the person praying. The third part is a concluding benediction that seeks Mary's blessing and prays for the grace to live a holy and virtuous life.
In addition to its religious significance, "Ave Maria" has also become a popular musical piece, with numerous composers creating musical settings of the prayer. Some of the most famous versions include those by Franz Schubert, Charles Gounod, Giulio Caccini, and Vladimir Vavilov. These musical compositions have helped popularize the prayer and make it known to a wider audience beyond the Catholic tradition.