Every March 25, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of the announcement of the Lord, who remembers the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to explain that God had chosen her to conceive of her Son of the Holy Spirit and ask for her acceptance.
To deepen the meaning of this mystery of faith we offer six essential data that every Catholic must know.
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1. What is the meaning of the word “Annunciation”?
The word comes from the same root as the verb “announce”. In ancient times it was used as a synonym for ad. In the Catholic tradition, Jesus’ announcement refers to the moment when the Archangel Gabriel gives the news to the Virgin Mary of the next birth of the Son of God if she gives her consent.
Although we are more familiar with the application of this term to the announcement of the birth of Jesus, it is also used in other similar premonitions that are collected in the Holy Scriptures. Thus, for example, in his book on “The Childhood of Jesus”, Pope Benedict XVI speaks of “the announcement of the birth of John”, which was also predicted in advance.
2. When is the solemnity of the announcement celebrated?
On March 25, nine months before Christmas, on December 25, it is the day on which the solemnity of the announcement is usually celebrated. However, because Lent, Holy Week and Resurrection Easter change date every year, sometimes they coincide and the announcement is transferred by being of less liturgical range.
According to the Roman Missal: “Every time this solemnity occurs during Holy Week, it is transferred to the second Easter Sunday.” If March 25 coincides with a Lent Sunday, moves to the following Monday.
3. Why is this story parallel to the birth of Juan Bautista?
Both the miraculous conception of St. John the Baptist and Jesus are preceded by the announcement of the Archangel Grabriel. In a case to Zacarías; In the other, Maria, married to José.
In both stories the Archangel informs that the children who will be born have a preeminent place in God’s salvation plan. The reaction of the interlocutors is similar, but not the same. While Zacarias asks to know if the announced will happen, Maria asks how it will happen.
4. Why is Maria’s reaction different from Zacharias?
It could be thought that the reaction of the Virgin Mary and that of Zacarías are the same. However, there is a substantial difference between them.
Zacharias’s attitude is skeptical, while the Virgin does not doubt. He only aspires to understand in his heart the work that God will do within his bosom.
5. How does the Archangel Gabriel answer to Mary’s question?
Gabriel tells him: “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow; that is why the one to be born will be holy and will be called the Son of God.”
Here the angel indicates the participation of the three people of the Holy Trinity: through the action of the Holy Spirit, the Father makes the Son conceived in human form. There will be no human father, making it clear that the child will be the Son of God.
As another example of the Lord’s power, the Angel notes that Isabel, although old and apparently sterile, has miraculously conceived a son and is in the sixth month of pregnancy. “For God there is nothing impossible.”
6. Why is Maria’s “yes” important?
The acceptance of Mary of this role is transcendental, because she will be the mother of the Son of God.
Despite the sufferings, in her various forms, she completely placed himself at the service of God’s will becoming protector of the child who would be born and saved with love to the world.
Translated and adapted by Diego López Marina. Originally published in the National Catholic Register.
Jimmy Akin
Jimmy was born in Texas and grew nominally Protestant, but in his youth he experienced a deep conversion and entered the Catholic Church. He is the main apologist of Catholic Answers, collaborating editor of Catholic Answers magazine and a weekly guest in “Catholic Answers Live.”