On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, The Catholic Church celebrates when Jesus began his earthly life, and the obedience and faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary by whose consent his incarnation was possible.
The archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that she had been chosen by God to assist him in his divine plan by giving birth to his Son, the long-awaited Savior of the world.
Mary had free will and made a choice to give her humble and faithful submission to God’s will. This is known as her fiat. Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit at that moment and God became man.
The Annunciation is the very first Joyful Mystery of the Rosary and the inspiration for the Angelus prayer. Gabriel’s respectful greeting to Mary is the first part of the Hail Mary.
A shared feast of Jesus and of Mary, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is celebrated by Catholics on March 25, exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
When March 25 falls on a Sunday of Lent, during Holy Week, or during the Octave of Easter, the solemnity is transferred to the next weekday that is not occupied by another solemnity or feast.
Remembering Mary’s role in God becoming man:
A birth announcement:
Announcing the birth of Christ in advance:
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.
Luke 1: 34-38
The Blessed Mother shows how to respond to God:
Without Mary’s cooperation, Jesus would not be conceived:
Mary shows how faith seeks understanding:
Mary could have said “No”:
The narrative of the Annunciation illustrates God’s extraordinary courtesy. He does not impose Himself, He does not simply pre-determine the part that Mary will play in his plan for our salvation: He first seeks her consent. In the original Creation there was clearly no question of God seeking the consent of his creatures, but in this new Creation He does so. Mary stands in the place of all humanity. She speaks for us all when she responds to the angel’s invitation. Saint Bernard describes how the whole court of Heaven was waiting with eager anticipation for her word of consent that consummated the nuptial union between God and humanity. The attention of all the choirs of angels was riveted on this spot, where a dialogue took place that would launch a new and definitive chapter in world history. Mary said, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Word of God became flesh.
Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, 14 May 2009
Announcing God’s plan for the throne of Israel:
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:
Contemplating the Annunciation in art:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
A life of prayer in community:
Share this page with friends and family to start a conversation about your faith.
Don’t miss a post. Learn more about the Catholic Church and strengthen your Catholic faith.
Find more Fiercely Catholic video issues here.
Subscribe here.
