Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - I Class

Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - I Class

This is the great Festival of the Incarnation, commemorating the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to our Lady that the Divine Son of God, the Word, would take human nature upon Him in her virginal womb. Its date is determined by that of Christmas Day, and as the day which marked the beginning of Christian dispensation it was for many centuries regarded as the first day of the civil year.

On this day the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, uniting for evermore our human nature to the Divine nature. The mystery of the Incarnation brings vividly before us the boundless condescension and humility of God the Son in stooping to our condition in order to be our Saviour. Equally it proclaims the glory and greatness of Mary, who was chosen to give to the Divine Word human flesh and human birth, and so to co-operate with God in the restoration of mankind. Hence her most glorious title of "Mother of God," which explains all her glories, her sanctity, and her honour.

-as taken from the 1962 edition of the Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Thus, honouring the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, is one of the Catholic Church's most important facet. It was only through her that the word of the Lord was made incarnate. Thus, it is only fair that due reverence is given to her on our part. The Blessed Virgin was one with our Lord when he suffered his passion. The Blessed Virgin is an important facet of TRUTH and divine wisdom. If one neglects the Blessed Virgin, it is as though he/she is neglecting God.

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"Just as I have told you that he who knows Me knows also My Father, so I now tell you that he who knows My Mother knows Me."

-as taken from: The Mystical City of God, Vol. III, p. 765

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Introit of the Mass Today (Ps. 44:13,15,16,2)

All the rich among the people shall entreat Thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. (Psalm) My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, its now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect of the Mass Today

O God, Who didst will that Thy Word should take flesh, at the message of an Angel, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliant people, that we who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

-as taken from the 1962 edition of the Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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The ANGELUS

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, dominus tecum, benedictatu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis, peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
V. Ecce ancilla Domini.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Ave Maria …
Sancta Maria …
V. Et Verbum caro factum est.
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. Et habitavit in nobis.
R. And dwelt among us.
Ave Maria …
Sancta Maria …
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Oremus – Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem ejus et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.
Let Us Pray – Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may be brought, by His Passion and Cross, to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
R. Amen.
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SUBJECTS for DAILY MEDITATION

Remember, Christian soul, that thou hast this day, and every day of thy life:

GOD TO GLORIFY,

JESUS TO IMITATE,

THE ANGELS AND SAINTS TO INVOKE,

A SOUL TO SAVE,

A BODY TO MORTIFY,

SINS TO EXPIATE,

VIRTUES TO ACQUIRE,

HELL TO AVOID,

HEAVEN TO GAIN,

ETERNITY TO PREPARE FOR,

TIME TO PROFIT BY,

NEIGHBOURS TO EDIFY,

THE WORLD TO DESPISE,

DEVILS TO COMBAT,

PASSIONS TO SUBDUE,

DEATH PERHAPS TO SUFFER,

AND JUDGEMENT TO UNDERGO.

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I thought these were some very good reflections for us all to reflect upon this Lent. A last thing that I would like to end off with is with a Litany.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.

Response: Deliver me Jesus,

From the desire of being esteemed,

From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being extolled,

From the desire of being honoured,

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred,

From the desire of being consulted,

From the desire of being approved,

From the fear of being humiliated,

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

From the fear of being calumniated,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being ridiculed,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being suspected,

Response: Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be loved more than I,

That others may be esteemed more than I,

That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others become holier than I provided I may become as holy as I should.

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+J.M.J.A.

Forever!

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-rach =)