The Virgin Mary was converted into «Mater Gratiae» the moment she was greeted by the angel with the title of full of grace. Being the mother of the one and only mediator, Jesus, she is both mother of the author of grace and dispenser of grace. «Mater Gratiae» is the oldest title in the Marian cult of the Order. The general chapter of 1284 prescribed the daily singing or recitation in her honor of the Marian nocturne entitled, «Benedicta», which is familiar to us and whereby we invoke: «You, Mother of Grace». The antiphony, «Ave Regina coelorum», which dates back to the XIII century, was also dedicated to honor the «Mother of Grace».
In 1807 the Order was granted permission to celebrate the feast of the Virgin of Grace on June 1; this was moved to May 8 in the reformation of 2002.