Solemnity of the Annunciation

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord falls on Monday, April 8, this year.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the coming of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce to her the special mission God had chosen for her in being the mother of His only son.

Two prayers that highlight the importance of this solemnity are the joyous mysteries of the Rosary and the Angelus.

“As early as the middle of the 6th century in the East, and the 7th century in Rome, there is evidence of this Feast celebrated on 25 March. Since this feast is connected with the Lord Jesus and to His entry into history, the revised liturgical calendar gave this feast the title of the “Annunciation of the Lord”, over the more popular Annunciation of Mary. The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is a Christmas feast even though it is not celebrated during the Christmas Season. Nine months before we celebrate the Lord’s birth, we celebrate His incarnation in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”  ~Vatican News

Click here to learn more about this solemnity.