White lily in stained glass — symbol of Mary's purity and the Annunciation

The Annunciation

Feast: March 25 • Gospel: Luke 1:26–38

The Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God. Mary’s fiat—“let it be done”—is the model of humble, obedient faith. The lily has long symbolized her purity in this mystery.

Read the Gospel Purity Prayers

Gospel — Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I know not man?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Why the Annunciation Matters

Mary’s Fiat

Her free “yes” cooperates with God’s plan of salvation. Christian discipleship echoes this fiat in daily life.

Incarnation

“The Word became flesh.” The mystery begins here: Jesus truly God and truly man, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Purity & Humility

The lily signifies Mary’s purity of heart—purity that is not aloofness, but wholehearted love of God.

Hymns & Prayers on Purity

The Angelus (Annunciation Prayer)

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary…

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary…

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary…

V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary…

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 by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tota Pulchra Es (You Are All Fair, O Mary)

“You are all fair, O Mary, and the stain of original sin is not in you.”

You are all fair, O Mary, and the stain of original sin is not in you. You are the glory of Jerusalem; you are the joy of Israel; you are the honor of our people; you are the advocate of sinners. O Mary, Virgin most prudent, Mother most clement, pray for us; intercede for us with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Immaculate Mary (Lourdes Hymn)

“Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing…”

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing; you reign now in splendor with Jesus our King. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria; Ave, Ave, Maria.

In heaven, the blessed your glory proclaim; on earth, we, your children, invoke your fair name. Ave, Ave…

Prayer for Purity of Heart

Mother most pure, obtain for me a clean heart…

O Mary, Mother most pure, obtain for me from your Son a clean and steadfast heart. Guard my eyes, my thoughts, and my desires, that I may love what is true, choose what is good, and delight in the will of God. Amen.

From the Litany of Loreto (Purity Titles)

Virgin most prudent… Virgin most pure…

Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.

Pray the Joyful Mysteries

Monday & Saturday — beginning with the First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation.

Pray the Rosary