Celebrating the biggest ‘yes’ in history – Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

On Saturday, March 25, Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The faithful believe it is the biggest “Yes” in history, so on this day, we celebrate not only Mary being chosen to be the mother of Jesus but also her acceptance in God’s will. 

The Annunciation is celebrated nine months before the birth of Christ on Dec. 25 because it refers to the Gospel of Luke when the Blessed Virgin Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel to tell her that she would be the mother of the savior.  

The story begins,: “The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.” 

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 

Gabriel tells Mary that she has found favor from God and  will conceive a son of “the Most High.” Mary, a virgin, questions Gabriel, who tells her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” 

Mary answers, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”  

The Annunciation story inspired three liturgical texts: Ava Maria, (Hail Mary) the Angelus (a Catholic devotion commemorating the Incarnation of Christ), and the Magnificat (The Prayer of Mary). 

The Solemnity of the Annunciation also coincides with the anniversary of the papal encyclical Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life). Written by Pope St. John Paul II, Evangelium vitae was appropriately given in Rome on March 25, 1995, and contains the Church teaching on the value and inviolability of every human life. 

In modern times, the Annunciation has taken on special meaning in Respect Life ministry. This solemnity helps us to recognize the gift of new life from its very beginning. It calls us to reflect on how we are to care for, protect, and welcome new life, as the Blessed Mother did for the Christ child, according to the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.  

In Europe, the Annunciation is known as the “Feast of Swallows,” as the swallows return from their migration on or about that day. An ancient saying in Austria claims, “When Gabriel does the message bring, Return the swallows, comes the spring.” 

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but Solemnities are celebrations of the greatest importance, and this day is considered one of the major feasts of Mary. 

Here are some ways to celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation: 

1. Prayer – The USCCB produced a novena in honor of the Annunciation called “A Heart Open to God’s Will.” Pray this novena with church members and family. Say the Hail Mary or the rosary. 

2. Reach out to and pray for parents expecting a child – Do something special for a woman expecting a child. Some churches will also offer the Blessing of a Child in the Womb.  

3. Educate and celebrate – Read the Evangelium vitae. 

4. Give some flowers and fruit – The flowers of Mary are the lily, which represents a message from God only to the purest of heart, and bluebells, which represent humility, constancy, and gratitude. Mary’s fruitfulness is symbolized by pear trees.

Featured image: Luis Carlos Bonilla Soto via Cathopic.