The Annunciation

The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ

To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

On this day, exactly nine months before the Nativity, the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ was announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the archangel Gabriel, beginning with that most beautiful greeting: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”. The celebration of this feast is transferred if March 25th occurs during Holy Week or the Easter Octave; but Catholic tradition affirms the importance of this specific date throughout salvation history, as related in the medieval work called The Golden Legend, compiled by Bl. Jacobus de Voragine, archbishop of Genoa.
“This blessed Annunciation happened the twenty-fifth day of the month of March, on which day happened also, as well tofore as after, these things that hereafter be named. On that same day Adam, the first man, was created and fell into original sin by inobedience, and was put out of paradise terrestrial….

“Also that same day of the month Cain slew Abel his brother. Also Melchisedech made offering to God of bread and wine in the presence of Abraham. Also on the same day Abraham offered Isaac his son….

“And our Lord Jesu Christ was on that day crucified, wherefore that is a day of great reverence.”

Traditional Roman Martyrology for March 25th

THE Annunciation of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

At Rome, St. Quirinus, martyr, who after losing his goods, suffering imprisonment in a dark dungeon, and being severely scourged, was put to death with the sword, and thrown into the Tiber. The Christians found his body in the island of St. Bartholomew and buried it in the Pontian cemetery.

In the same city, two hundred and sixty-two holy martyrs.

At Sirmium, the martyrdom of St. Irenaeus, bishop. In the time of the emperor Maximian, under the governor Probus, after undergoing bitter torments, and a painful imprisonment for many days, he was beheaded.

At Nicomedia, St. Dula, the servant of a soldier, who was killed for the preservation of her chastity, and deserved the crown of martyrdom.

At Jerusalem, the commemoration of the good Thief, who confessed Christ on the cross, and deserved to hear from Him these words: “This day thou shalt be with Me in paradise.”

At Laodicea, St. Pelagius, bishop, who having endured exile and other afflictions for the Catholic faith under Valens, rested in the Lord.

At Pistoja, the holy confessors Barontius and Desiderius.

In Indre, an island of the Loire, the abbot St. Hermelandus, whose glorious life is attested by signal miracles.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.