The Annunciation of the Lord

Today we celebrate the beginning of our salvation when the coming of the Lord was announced by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.

Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  Behold you shall conceive and bear a son, and he will be called the Son of the Most High.

See Luke 1:26-32

+

Mother of Christ, our hope, our Patroness,
Star of the sea, our beacon in distress,

Guide to the shores of everlasting day

God’s holy people on their pilgrim way.

Virgin by vow but Mother of all grace,

Chosen by God to be his dwelling place,

Blessed are you:  God’s word you did believe,

Your “Yes” undid the “No” of sinful Eve.

Daughter of God, who bore his holy One,

Dearest of all, the Christ, your loving Son,

Show us his face, O Mother, as on earth,

Loving us all, you gave our Savior birth.

Text: Alma Redemptoris

Translator:  James Quinn, S.J.

+

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 2001, was the last time I had the privilege to attend a Private Mass and Audience with His Holiness Pope John Paul II.  It was a bittersweet time as the effects of age and health were showing on his dear face and body, though they could not dampen his spirit or faith. 

Blessed John Paul II’s motto was “Totus Tuus,” “All Yours,” a sign of how he devoted his life to Blessed Mother Mary, who had devoted her life to our Loving God, her Son and our brother, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Soon Blessed John Paul will be canonized Saint John Paul.  It is almost unbelievable for me to have been blessed with so many encounters with him during my years of service to the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO).  I’ve been privileged to know and work with others in Rome who were befriended by him in their native land of Poland.  They have generously shared their experience of him and all that he taught them while here on earth.

May we devote all we have and all we do to our Blessed Mother Mary, and in turn, inspire others to share in this devotion.  May we have the grace and strength to say “yes” to God and “no” to sin.  Let us pray for each other so that we may receive and proclaim the Good News of salvation.

+