The archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to let her know that she had been chosen by God to give birth to his Son, the long-awaited Savior of the world.
Mary gave her humble and faithful consent, known as her fiat. Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit at that moment and God became man.
The Annunciation and conception of Jesus took place exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
A joyful event, the Annunciation is the very first mystery of the Rosary and the inspiration for the Angelus prayer.
A shared feast of Jesus and of Mary, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is celebrated by Catholics on March 25.
The moment when the Word became flesh:
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Without Mary’s cooperation, Jesus would not be conceived:
The Blessed Mother shows how to respond to God:
Like Abraham, Mary must walk through darkness, in which she must simply trust the One who called her. Yet even her question, “How can this come about?”, suggests that Mary is ready to say yes, despite her fears and uncertainties. Mary asks not whether the promise is possible, but only how it will be fulfilled. It comes as no surprise, therefore, when finally she utters her fiat: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me”. With these words, Mary shows herself the true daughter of Abraham, and she becomes the Mother of Christ and Mother of all believers.
Pope John Paul II, Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, March 25, 2000
Mary shows how faith seeks understanding:
Mary could have said “No”:
The Annunciation is a critical moment in human history:
A deeper understanding of the Angel Gabriel’s messages:
The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates “the fullness of time”, the time of the fulfillment of God’s promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive Him in Whom the “whole fullness of deity” would dwell “bodily”. The divine response to her question, “How can this be, since I know not man?”, was given by the power of the Spirit: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 484
Celebrating the Annunciation where the angel Gabriel met Mary:
Where Mary said, “Yes” to the will of God:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
Providing the most basic needs for all people:
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