The Annunciation of the Lord
This Tuesday, March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of The Annunciation of the Lord. It is a solemn feast, observed 9 months before Christmas, celebrating the day when Mary said yes to the announcement of the angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”  And with those words of Mary, the Incarnation of the Lord occurred.  “To bring about our salvation the Son of God was made “flesh”.” (John 1:14) Yes Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit on this day. The Word became flesh nine months before his Nativity.
 
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary…
 
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary…
 
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary…
 
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hail Mary…
 
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.