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The Angelus and the Annunciation
    Nine Months before the Birth of Jesus the Lord; Prayers for Six, Noon and Six
Associate Pastor's Column
Sunday, March 25, 2007

            Today is the feast of the Annunciation. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary and declared God’s word, that she was to be the mother of God. All of creation, all of time, heaven and earth held it’s breath to hear her answer: Fiat! That’s Latin for “Let it be,” “Let it become,” “Let it be done,” or “So be it.”

            Mary started out on the same footing as Eve: Neither Mary nor Eve were subject to Original Sin when the greatest tests ever known were presented them. Eve failed, becoming mother of the dying, or killer of the living; Mary succeeded to embrace God’s will, becoming the mother of all who were to be the children of God.

            We remember this important event on March 25th, in the Liturgy. But as it is Sunday, don’t worry, we’re postponing it a day to March 26th, so you still have time to prepare for the graces God may offer you on this feast. You will notice that March 25th is nine months before Christmas. For in Mary’s womb right then she had not a thing, nor a part of her own body, but a human being, and a human being who was also the eternal Son of God. This serves as a liturgical proof for the existence of human, personal life in the womb from the moment of conception. And Mary conceived virginally, by the Holy Spirit.

            There is a prayer which Catholics are invited to pray when the Church bells toll at 6am, 12 noon and again at 6pm. At those hours, even if you can’t hear Church bells, it’s a wise and fruitful practice to stop what you are doing, turn off the TV or radio or whatever, and pray the Angelus, alone, with friends, or with family. At the end of this article, you will see the prayer and how it is prayed.

            During the Easter Season, the Angelus is replaced with the Regina Coeli (pronounced rah-JEE-nah CHAY-lee), which commemorates not the incarnation, but the resurrection. It is said three times a day as well

            Both prayers earn partial indulgences. They contemplate each mystery from the point of view of Mary, with her beautiful and infinitely pure and holy Heart, her Immaculate Heart. Let us make a habit out of praying these prayers each day.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary / Holy Mary…

V. Behold the Handmaid of the Lord

R. Let it be done unto me according to your word. Hail Mary / Holy Mary…

V. (Genuflect.) And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us. (Stand.)

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worth of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O Lord, it was through the message of an angel that we learned of the incarnation of Christ your Son. By his passion and cross, bring us to the glory of his resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Regina Coeli (for Easter Season)

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia!

R. Because the Son you were chosen to bear, Alleluia!

V. Has risen as he said, Alleluia!

R. Pray for us to God, Alleluia!

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia!

V. Because the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia!

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Picture: El Greco (Domenikos Theotocopoulos), The Annunciation; Paint on board, 49 x 37 cm (19 1/4 x 14 5/8”); Museo del Prado, Madrid