The Angelus

The Annunciation by Luca Giordano

The Annunciation by Luca Giordano (1672)

The Catholic faith is an incarnational faith; it involves a daily celebration of a central mystery of Christianity: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is, just as the moment of His death on the Cross, a sacred moment in salvation history. From this came the ancient custom of devoutly reciting the scriptural dialogue between the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary. This “Angelic Salutation” reminds us of Mary’s willing participation in the divine encounter that forever changed the world. The Angelus (and the Regina Caeli during the Easter season) honors the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and is traditionally recited three times a day (6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.). During the anniversary year,  try reciting the Angelus daily to pray for the intercession of our patroness, Mary, Mother of God.

The Angelus
  1. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
  2. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.

  1. Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
  2. Be it done unto me according to your word.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.

  1. And the Word was made flesh,
  2. And dwelt among us.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.

  1. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
  2. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your 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.

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