Marian Devotion
The Angelus
Angelus
At the sound of a bell — at dawn, noon, and dusk — the faithful pause to recall the moment the Angel appeared to Mary and God became man.
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.
And the Word was made Flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that, we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Traditionally prayed at 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM, often at the sound of a bell. One person leads (℣) while at least one other responds (℟) — though it can be prayed privately as well.
The Angelus commemorates the Annunciation — the moment the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would conceive the Son of God. With her consent, the eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Prayed three times each day for centuries, it calls the faithful back to that one moment upon which all of history turns.
“The angel awaits your answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion — the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.”