The Annunciation of the Lord Solemnity

Originally a feast of our Lord, but now celebrated as a Marian feast, the feast of the Annunciation dates back at least to the fifth century, and the date of the feast, which is determined by the date of Christmas, was set at March 25 by the seventh century.

This great festival takes its name from the happy tidings brought by the Archangel Gabriel to theBlessed Virgin, announcing the Incarnation of the Son of God. 

It commemorates the most importantembassy that was ever known, an embassy sent by the King of kings, and performed by one of thechief princes of His heavenly court, and directed, not to the great ones of this earth, but to a poor,unknown virgin who, being endowed with angelic purity of soul and body, and perfect humility andsubmission to God, was greater in His eyes than the mightiest monarch in the world.

When the Son of God became man, He could have taken our nature without the cooperation of anycreature; but He was pleased to be born of a woman, the One announced in the third chapter ofGenesis. 

In choosing Her whom He raised to this most sublime of all dignities, He was turning tothe one maiden who, by the riches of His grace and virtues, was of all others the most holy and themost perfect. 

The purpose of this embassy of the Archangel was to give a Saviour to the world, avictim of propitiation to the sinner, a model to the just, a son to this Virgin who would remain avirgin, and a new nature to the Son of God — the nature of man, capable of suffering pain andanguish in order to satisfy God’s justice for our transgressions.

When the Angel appeared to Mary and addressed Her, the Blessed Virgin was troubled; not at hiscoming, says Saint Ambrose, for heavenly visions and conversation with the blessed spirits had beenfamiliar to Her, but what alarmed Her, he says, was the Angel’s appearing in human form, in theshape of a young man. What added to her alarm on this occasion was his words of praise.

Mary,guarded by her modesty, was in confusion before expressions of this sort, and dreaded even theshadow of deluding flattery. Such high commendations made her cautious, until in silence She hadmore fully considered the matter: “She deliberated in her mind,” says Saint Luke, “what manner ofsalutation this could be.”

The Angel, to calm her, said: “Fear not, Mary, for Thou hast found favor before God.” He theninformed Her that She was to conceive a Son whose name would be Jesus, who would be great andthe Son of the Most High, and possessed of the throne of David, Her illustrious ancestor. 

Mary, outof a just concern to know how she may comply with the will of God without prejudice to Her vowof virginity, inquired, “How shall this be?” 

Nor did She give Her consent until the heavenlymessenger informed Her that it was to be a work of the Holy Spirit, who, in making Her fruitful,would not alter in the slightest Her virginal purity. 

In submission to God’s will, without any furtherinquiries, She expressed Her assent in these humble but powerful words: “Behold the handmaid ofthe Lord; be it done unto Me according to thy word.” What faith and confidence Her answerexpressed! What profound humility and perfect obedience!