- Feb 5, 2002
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Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Annunciation. Usually it’s celebrated on March 25, but this year March 25 fell during Holy Week, which superseded the observance. So the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops moved the celebration of the Annunciation to Monday, April 8.
This day celebrates the appearance of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce the incarnation.
What’s going on and why is this day important?
Here are eight things to know and to share.
“Annunciation” is simply an old-fashioned way of saying “announcement.”
The term can be applied to other events also. For example, in his book “Jesus of Nazareth 3: The Infancy Narratives,” Pope Benedict XVI has sections on both “the annunciation of the birth of John” and “the annunciation to Mary,” because John the Baptist’s birth was also announced in advance.
This date is used because it is nine months before Christmas (Dec. 25), and it is assumed that Jesus spent the normal nine months in his mother’s womb.
However, March 25 sometimes falls during Holy Week, and the days of Holy Week have a higher liturgical rank than this solemnity.
Still, the Annunciation is an important solemnity, and so it doesn’t just vanish from the calendar. Instead, as the rubrics in the Roman Missal note:
“Whenever this solemnity occurs during Holy Week, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.”
It is thus celebrated on the first available day after Holy Week and the Octave of Easter (which ends on the Second Sunday of Easter).
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
This day celebrates the appearance of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce the incarnation.
What’s going on and why is this day important?
Here are eight things to know and to share.
1. What does the word “Annunciation” mean?
The word is derived from the same root as the word “announce.” Gabriel is announcing the incarnation of Christ — God becoming man in the person of Jesus.“Annunciation” is simply an old-fashioned way of saying “announcement.”
The term can be applied to other events also. For example, in his book “Jesus of Nazareth 3: The Infancy Narratives,” Pope Benedict XVI has sections on both “the annunciation of the birth of John” and “the annunciation to Mary,” because John the Baptist’s birth was also announced in advance.
2. When is the Annunciation normally celebrated and why does it sometimes move?
Normally the solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated March 25.This date is used because it is nine months before Christmas (Dec. 25), and it is assumed that Jesus spent the normal nine months in his mother’s womb.
However, March 25 sometimes falls during Holy Week, and the days of Holy Week have a higher liturgical rank than this solemnity.
Still, the Annunciation is an important solemnity, and so it doesn’t just vanish from the calendar. Instead, as the rubrics in the Roman Missal note:
“Whenever this solemnity occurs during Holy Week, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.”
It is thus celebrated on the first available day after Holy Week and the Octave of Easter (which ends on the Second Sunday of Easter).
3. How does this story parallel the birth of John the Baptist?
Continued below.
8 things to know and share about the Annunciation
The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the incarnation of Christ. Here are eight things to know and share about the event and how we celebrate it.
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