Feast of the Annunciation

Roman Catholics mark today the Feast of the Annunciation in solemn commemoration of the revelation to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel that she “will be the mother of God” (Luke 1:26-38) and her complete submission to God’s holy plan.

Traditionally observed on March 25, the feast was moved to April 9 this year in deference to the observance of Palm Sunday last March 25.

In solemn observance of the feast, the Church encourages the faithful to pray the Holy Rosary and the Angelus, as well as to reflect on the Magnificat, and to offer sacrifices for all the unborn children.

The Feast of the Annunciation reminds the faithful of Christ’s Incarnation or the instance God became man.

Church leaders said, “Christ’s Incarnation was fully accomplished not during His revelation to the world at His birth or during His adulthood but at the time when the ‘Word’ was made flesh at His conception in Mary’s womb.”