Reflection on the Feast of Annunciation of the Lord

The Annunciation, by Adriaen van de Velder, 1667 oil painting

The Feast of Annunciation of the Lord celebrates one of the greatest moments in history. An angel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce to her that she would bear the Son of God, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Annunciation is the first joyful mystery of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is much to reflect on in it. It is full of more meaning than can be exhausted. It signifies the joy of the life of Christ and the grace that would come through Him for sinners and the world. 

Mary’s Fiat

The Annunciation is when the Virgin Mary gave her fiat, her yes. She replied to the angel, "Let it be done to me according to your word." Mary’s freely given yes to bearing the Son of God in her womb and bringing Him into the world for the salvation of all has changed everything. On the Feast of the Annunciation, we honor her yes to God, which was life-giving. It gave the gift of the life of Jesus Christ. This means that it also has made our fiat, our personal yes to God, possible. Mary’s fiat makes each one of our “fiats” to believing in and following Jesus Christ possible and bear fruit.

The Meaning of March 25th in the Catholic Calendar

The Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Lord bears significance not only because this is the day of the visitation of the angel to Mary. The day of the Annunciation of the Lord holds so much rich meaning and steep tradition for Catholics. It is exactly nine months before the day the Church celebrates the birth of Christ on December 25th. With this in mind, the celebration of the Annunciation is not only a day to honor the "yes" of Mary and the Visitation of the angel. It is also a feast day in celebration of the Incarnation of Christ. Additionally, the traditional Catholic Calendar celebrates both the Feast of the Annunciation and the Feast Day of St. Dismas on March 25th.

Who is Saint Dismas?

Saint Dismas, also known as the “Good Thief” or “Penitent Thief”, was crucified beside Jesus. The Gospel of Saint Luke tells his story:

“Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed…Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’ The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, ‘Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly; for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:32, 39-43)

From St. Dismas, we can learn true repentance during this season of Lent, alongside true reverence for the Lord and His innocent sacrifice on the Cross of Salvation. 

Christ, The Alpha and the Omega

The Church's traditional celebration of the Incarnation of Christ and the Feast of St. Dismas on the same day suggests, then, that Christ conceived and died on the same day, March 25th. The joy of the Annunciation may be seen as a foreshadowing of the Resurrection. The day we celebrate the Annunciation, also, in a sense, commemorates Christ's life, death, and Resurrection. During the season of Lent, which is Spring, we look forward to new life in Christ. We celebrate all things being made new, and all things being brought to completion in and through Him.

The Magnificat; The Prayer of Mary

(Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 

My spirit rejoices in God my Savior

For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, 

He has scattered the proud in their conceit. 

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 

And has lifted up the lowly. 

He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel

For He has remembered His promise of mercy,

The promise that He made to our fathers,

To Abraham and his children forever.

While the information in this post is not Church doctrine, the feast days traditionally celebrated on March 25th carry rich symbolism and offer rich reflection during Lent, and throughout the year.