FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

This picture is from the Stained Glass window of the Annunciation at Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna   Notice the Angel, the Holy Spirit.  Notice the Angel is on a cloud.  In our stained glass windows there are Clouds surrounding Every supernatural event.

Today, Thursday March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation.  On this day we celebrate when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that through the Holy Spirit she will have a child and name him Jesus.   We also celebrate Mary saying "YES" to God's plan for her life.   God called Mary, and Mary said YES.  What a wonderful model for each of us.

Please NOTE the date:  March 25.  This is exactly 9 months before Christmas.   Love the way the Church works its holidays.  The same thing happens for Mary.   The Birth of Mary is celebrated exactly 9 months after we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

TOLKIEN FANS:  If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings books by JRR Tolkien, then you will know that there is ONLY ONE date giving in our dating system.   The Ring of POWER was destroyed on MARCH 25.  The Ring of Power was destroyed on the FEAST of the ANNUNCIATION.   The Ring of Power was destroyed on the same day that God was Made incarnate, and took human flesh in the womb of Mary.    This is the day that begins our salvation.

Here is an ancient prayer for this day.  Pray it, and meditate on it:

Today is the beginning of our salvation,
And the revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
"Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!"

Here are some other pieces of art of the annunciation.  Enjoy meditating on them: