An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association March 7 – Apparition of the Madonna Del Monte Berico (Italy, 1426) At Mary’s school living the Mass Annunciation Antoniazzo Romano Annunciation Antoniazzo Romano The Annunciation scene as recorded by Luke follows the order of the Mass. Have you ever noticed this? First, there is the angel’s greeting, like the celebrant who greets the congregation: "Dominus vobiscum, the Lord is with you!" Then the emotion of the Virgin that corresponds to the penitential liturgy. Her listening to the message of the angel is like the liturgy of the Word. And each homily should be an answer to the Virgin’s question, "How will this happen?" How will the proclaimed Word take flesh in our lives? The only possible answer is that of the angel: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you." This is the epiclesis of the Mass. The same Holy Spirit who gives Mary the ability to conceive the flesh of the Son of God changes the bread and the wine into the Body and the Blood of the Lord. What excitement is contained in Mary's response: "Fiat. Oh yes, so be it!" Is it not with the same lover’s eagerness that the communicant says a resounding amen when the priest presents the Body of Christ to him? ... "Then the angel left her." This is the time of the dismissal: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life!” Fr. Guillaume de Menthière In L’Eucharistie à l’école de Marie, June 2, 2008 rosarium.op.org www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.