Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Feast of the Annunciation


Today the Church celebrates a special event in history, The Annunciation of the Lord, to Mary.

This event in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary is central to the life of the Christian. It is a celebration of the event of the Incarnation.

Each week, the Holy Father gives his "Angelus" message to a Wednesday audience.

Here is a version of the Angelus devotion:

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

V. And the Word was made Flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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

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

Let us pray:

Pour forth we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Veni Sancte Spiritus, Veni Per Mariam. (Come Holy Spirit, Come Through Mary.)


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The Church looks to Mary as an example of the attitude that produces the most fecundity in life. Having the attitude that Mary had ("Be it done unto me...") and asking her to help us find her son ("Do whatever He tells you...") is the key to approaching life as a positivity. It is the key to freedom. It reveals the reality that we are but receivers of the Other's initiative in our lives. Everything is given.

Mary, you said "Yes," to the Mystery, help us to say "Yes."

Mary, you were obedient without understanding, help us to be obedient.

Mary, you trusted when you were uncertain, help us to trust.

If we allow our experiences to correspond to that of Mary's, we too, like her, will bear Christ within us.

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