Today we celebrate the coming of God made flesh in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ, and hear the story of the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary when she is told that she will be the Mother of God. In this feast the perfect humanity and complete divinity of Jesus is affirmed as a fundamental article of faith.

“Mary received the word of the Lord; and conceived the Word of life”

(Antiphon to the Magnificat from The Daily Office SSF, set for the Annunciation)

From the ‘Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ by Saint Francis:

‘Hail, O Lady,
Holy Queen,
Mary, holy Mother of God:
you are the virgin made church
and the one chosen by the most holy Father in heaven
whom he consecrated
with his most holy beloved Son
and with the Holy Spirit the Paraclete’

Music for reflection: Angelus from 'The Company of Angels' by Briege O' Hare Copyright: Hermitage Productions (used with permission) Annunciation - ©: Sr Mary Stephen CRSS Copyright Administration: McCrimmons Publishing Co. Ltd www.mccrimmons.com (used with permission)