March 25, 2017: ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

March 25, 2017: ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Rank: Double of the I Class.

Behold a VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE, and bring forth a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. (Isaias vii. 14)

Mary could not humble herself more than she did in the incarnation of the Word. On the other hand, God could not exalt her more than He has exalted her. “WHOSOEVER shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (St. Matt xxiii. 12). These are the words of our Lord, and cannot fail. Therefore, God having determined to make himself man, in order to redeem lost man, and thus manifest to the world his infinite goodness, being about to choose on earth his mother, sought among women the holiest and most humble. Among them all he saw one, the youthful Virgin Mary, who, as she was the most perfect in all virtues, so was she the most simple; and humble as a dove in her own esteem. “There are young maidens without number; one is my dove, my perfect one” (Cant vi. 7, 8). Let this one, then, said God, be my chosen mother. But he, for the greater glory and merit of this his mother, would not make himself her Son without first obtaining her consent. He would not take flesh from her without her consent. Therefore, when the humble young Virgin was in her poor dwelling, sighing and praying to God more earnestly than ever that he would send the Redeemer, as was revealed to St. Elizabeth, a Benedictine nun, behold the Archangel Gabriel came, bearing the great embassy. He enters and salutes her, saying: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women” (St. Luke i, 28)

For further meditation, please read the Glories of Mary, by St. Alphonsus Liguori, on: www.themostholyrosary.com/the-glories-of-mary.pdf

The Angelus prayer is the prayer honouring the Annunciation, the great Fiat of Mary, and the Incarnation of God. Catholics recite the Angelus prayer three times a day (6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.).

HYMN: AVE MARIS STELLA

Hail, thou Star of ocean,
Portal of the sky!
Ever Virgin Mother
Of the Lord most high!

Oh! by Gabriel's Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing,
Stablish peace below.

Break the captive's fetters;
Light on blindness pour;
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;
Offer Him our sighs,
Who for us Incarnate
Did not thee despise.

Virgin of all virgins!
To thy shelter take us:
Gentlest of the gentle!
Chaste and gentle make us.

Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavor;
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.

Through the highest heaven,
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.

For the Latin version of this hymn, please visit: www.themostholyrosary.com/appendix9.htm

Pray for us Oh Holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!