March 25 (tomorrow) is the day we celebrate the Annunciation, the day when we especially remember the Angel Gabriel’s visit to the Blessed Virgin Mary; hail, Full of Grace!
A solemnity is the highest ranking feast day. It commemorates an event in the life of Jesus or Mary, or celebrates a Saint who is important for the Universal Church. The Mass of a solemnity has proper readings and the Gloria and Creed are recited, even if we’re in the middle of Lent.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, speaking at the shrine of Mary’s home in Loreto, had this to say about the Annunciation :
“It is precisely here at Loreto that we have the opportunity to attend the school of Mary who was called “blessed” because she “believed” (Lk 1:45). This Shrine, built around her earthly home, preserves the memory of the moment when the angel of Lord came to Mary with the great announcement of the Incarnation, and she gave her reply. This humble home is a physical, tangible witness to the greatest event in our history, the Incarnation; the Word became flesh and Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, is the privileged channel through which God came to dwell among us (cf. Jn 1:14).”
Like we said last week, a solemnity is a day of celebration for the whole Church and the rest of this post is ideas to help your family celebration.
Read the Gospel for the day to get the story directly from Scripture. (Luke 1:26-38)
Dress your priest paper doll in white for today’s edition of What is Father Wearing?
Log in to formed.org and watch this video for kids on the Rosary:
The Rosary: A Special Way to Pray (24 minutes)
Join Brother Francis in this entertaining and guidance-filled presentation that will inspire children to deepen their faith by praying the Rosary!
Pray the Joyful Mysteries (or even just the first Joyful Mystery).
There are so many amazing pieces of art depicting this event!
Read about this one in our archives.
Listen to this musical version of Mary’s Magnificat. Or this one by John Michael Talbot. Or this version on YouTube by the Daughters of Mary.
Ring a bell at noon and pray the Angelus together. Directions are here.
Pope Francis is also asking the whole world to pray an Our Father together tomorrow at noon (Rome time). Yes, that’s 6 a.m. CST, but as long as you’re up early maybe you want to celebrate with some traditional waffles for breakfast. (You can read more about that custom here.)
No matter what you choose to do, remember that this is a day to celebrate! Suspend your Lenten commitments for a day and do something to bring the joy of the day into your home.
Family Formation 