The Church's celebration of the Annunciation is believed to date to the early 5th century, possibly originating at about the time of the Council of Ephesus (c 431). Earlier names for the Feast were Festum Incarnationis—The Feast of the Incarnation, and Conceptio Christi—the Conception of Christ. In the Eastern Churches, the Annunciation is a feast of Christ, but in the Latin Church it is a feast of Mary. The Annunciation has always been celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas Day.
The joyfulness of this great solemnity seems jolting as we find ourselves in the middle of the Lenten desert. And yet, the joy of this feast is so important to celebrate, that when it falls on a Friday of Lent, the obligation to abstain from meat is even lifted. The Lenten desert today is transformed into a sort of oasis, as we joyfully celebrate the incarnation of Christ and the Fiat of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We do well to drink deeply of the waters of this Lenten Oasis: the water which brings us renewal to continue the Lenten pilgrimage tomorrow. And I think the water we are meant to drink today, is to drink—to reflect and take within ourselves the joy that comes from humility.
In the recitation of the rosary, the virtue associated with the 1st joyful mystery, the annunciation is humility. Humility abounds in that scene at the Virgins house in Nazareth. The humility of the Blessed Virgin as the Archangel appeared to her, and as the Holy Spirit overshadowed her. The humility of the archangel as he knelt before this human girl who would become his queen. And the humility of the Eternal Word himself as he shed the glory of divinity to take on the burden of humanity. As Paul says to the Phillippians, “he emptied himself, and became a slave.”
Humility changed the world, and brought about our salvation. When we are truly humble, when we truly forget about ourselves, there is a joy there, that nothing else in the world can give. Because real humility enables us to put on the mind and heart of God, where joy and humility and love and life and wisdom and beauty are one.
When we humbly say “yes” to God, things change, always for the better. The humility of the annunciation will enable us to derive great spiritual benefit from the remainder of Lent. Humility will enable us to remember WHY we are engaging in so much prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It will enable us to truly appreciate the mystery of Jesus’ passion during Holy Week. Only humility will enable us to begin to grasp the depth of His love.
Let us allow Our Lady to teach us her humility today, and continue to be our guide through the Lenten desert. She who humbly calls herself the handmaiden of the Lord will always help us to surrender to the Holy Will of God and come to the joy of His love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That through the teaching, preaching, and pastoral care of the Church all Christians will grow in their devotion to and imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We pray to the Lord.
That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, hatred, violence, and cruelty will cease in the world. We pray to the Lord.
For those trapped in the downward spiral of sin, that the hope offered through the Incarnation of Christ in the womb of the Blessed Virgin will bring them new life in the Spirit. We pray to the Lord.
That Mary’s maternal care and heavenly intercession will raise us to the moral greatness befitting true children of God. We pray to the Lord.
For blessings on all expectant mothers, newborn infants, and young families. We pray to the Lord.
That from the moment of conception all children will be preserved from bodily harm; for the overturning of unjust laws that permit the destruction of innocent life; and that the minds of all may be enlightened to know the dignity of every human life. We pray to the Lord.
For all those who have died, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for [intention below], for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.
We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.
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