March 25

Solemnity of the
ANNUNCIATION

Luke 1: 26-38

The angel of the Lord, Gabriel, appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce that she would conceive of the Holy Spirit and bear a son, whom she would name Jesus. Her "yes" to God's will is popularly termed "Mary's Fiat." We are encouraged to follow her example and say "yes" to God's will for ourselves.

It is tradition to recognize that Jesus was conceived at the words of Mary's "yes."

Did you know?

From this Solemnity (March 25) to Christmas Day (December 25)

is nine months!

The archangel Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin Elisabeth was six months pregnant. Elisabeth was said to be barren but she bore a son, St. John the Baptist. Elisabeth's husband, Zechariah, was also spoken to by the angel to announce the conception of John the Baptist, but his response was much different! Read the Gospel according to Luke to compare the two stories.

A family tradition...

Prepare a "It's a boy!" dessert. Make cupcakes with blue icing, for example.

Read the Gospel passage of the Annunciation.

Pray the Angelus together. At the words "And dwelt among us," kneel in reverence of the great act of God: becoming a human for our sake.