Hail, Full of Grace!

Our Lady is front and center today, as we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation! We unabashedly boast of this beautiful maiden and mother of Christ, knowing full well that she would never promote herself. All the more reason to praise her!

We laud Mary today for accepting the largest mission of God given to anyone of the human race: to bear in her womb the Son of God, and to be utterly united with Jesus in his own mission of salvation. Only a woman as lowly and trusting as she could give a “yes” as tremendous as hers!

The Annunciation is also a beautiful day to remember the humility of the angels. Even in this image from Fra Angelico, Gabriel bows to a mere human being with honor and reverence. True, the angels knew that someday Mary would be elevated to become their Queen, and yet how fitting it is for these celestial creatures to be adorned with the virtue of humility which is the hallmark of God himself.

Pray for us, humble souls and angels adorning the courts of heaven, that we may one day join your ranks!