Hey there,
Jesus was standing over the woman caught in adultery and challenged the crowd that “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Suddenly, a rock hits the back of his head. Jesus turns and exclaims, “Mom!”
Seriously though, it’s nine months until Mary becomes Jesus’s mother on Christmas day … and on March 25th we will celebrate when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be Jesus’ mother — a.k.a. The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
She said yes that night despite risking her betrothal to Joseph … and her life for that matter … and she became Jesus’s mother. She continued her fiat every day of her life … caring for Jesus, teaching Him, and preparing Him for His mission.
I can only imagine the pressure she must have felt raising God’s son!
This feast is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but this is still a very important event that we should understand and celebrate. Mary serves as a model for us to live in holiness through our own fiat opportunities that God presents us with every day.
This week’s issue of Genuflect helps us understand not only what happened at the Annunciation, but its relevance in our life, how it ties together three of our key Catholic beliefs, Mary’s other “yes,” how to celebrate the Annunciation and more.
We are still a couple of weeks out from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25th, but you have plenty of time to begin the novena below.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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genuflect: resources
Annunciation Overview
Here’s a quick overview of the Annunciation that covers the basics: when, what, how … oh and an interesting fact about The Beatles’ song “Let it Be.”
The Annunciation of The Lord | Learn Religions
8 Annunciation Facts
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. It’s an important event because it’s when the Lord became incarnate. Here are 8 things you need to know about it.
8 Things to Know And Share About The Annunciation | National Catholic Register
The Annunciation’s 3 Beliefs
You know what happened at the Annunciation. But did you realize that the event represents the culmination of three of our Catholic beliefs? Here’s why it’s such a big deal.
3 Things Catholics Celebrate on The Feast of The Annunciation| CatholicTV
Why March 25th?
The Gospels do not mention the date of Jesus’s incarnation … or his birth for that matter. So how did March 25th come to be the day we celebrate the Annunciation? Philip Kosloski explains.
Why is The Annunciation Celebrated on March 25? | Aleteia
The History of The Feast
One might expect this important Solemnity to be a Holy Day of Obligation. Here’s the background of our celebration of this Feast.
Is The Annunciation a Holy Day of Obligation? | Aleteia
Mary’s Other Yes
Mary did say yes to the Lord at the Annunciation. But Guy McClung explains how there was a second yes from Mary … a yes that has had profound impact on each of us.
Mary Said Yes, Twice | Catholic Stand
Photo Tour of Mary’s Home
The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel is the largest Christian Church in the Middle East. Built on the site of Mary’s home in 1969, the lower level of the structure preserves the remains of her home — where the Angel Gabriel visited her — and the upper level is the parish Catholic community. Take a look at the incredible photos of this important place.
Where The Angel Gabriel Appeared to Mary: Inside The Magnificent Basilica of The Annunciation | ChurchPOP
12 Ways to Celebrate The Annunciation
Just because The Solemnity of the Feast of the Annunciation is not a Holy Day of Obligation does not mean it shouldn’t be celebrated. Here are 12 simple ways … most without even leaving your house.
Twelve (Simple!) Ways to Celebrate The Annunciation | Mary Haseltine
The Power of Saying Yes
Teresa Coda reminds us that Mary is not the only one who says yes to God. The Annunciation is a great time to look back and reflect on all the yeses in our own lives when we placed our trust in God to guide us.
Reflecting on The Annunciation: How Saying ‘Yes’ Can Make All The Difference | Busted Halo
Holiness is Our Yes
We all approach holiness differently and some are better at it than others. We tend to live our life in an effort to not offend the Lord. But holiness is a gift … a striving to please the Lord. It’s our “yes.”
Living in Holiness is Saying ‘Yes’ to God | Catholic Philly
genuflect: prayer
Pray The Annunciation Novena
Prepare for the celebration of this important feast day by praying this 9-day novena. Begin by Sunday, March 16th and you’ll be done in time for The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25th. But you can pray The Assumption Novena anytime.
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