ANNUNCIATION

Feast of the Annunciation, this year, March 26th, 2012

Dear Friends,

Ordinarily today (March 25th)  is the Solemnity of the Annunciation. It is celebrated this year on March 26th having been superseded by the Sunday liturgy. Because we are now in the season of Lent, Sunday, March 25th, previously called "Passion Sunday",  marks the beginning of Passiontide, a deeper time of Lent. This is the third Sunday of the scrutinies for the preparation of adult converts, and the final Sunday of Lent before the beginning of Holy Week.

Now, getting back to the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord, I have found a most beautiful homily. Before we go on, it is worthy of note that the old church calendar called this feast day; the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The homily comes from a Benedictine Monastary of Our Lady of the Cenacle. Their Life and Charism comes from ‘Men Who Hold Their Gaze Directly Towards God’.  Their spiritual father is St Benedict, one whose gaze was always on the Face of God.
       
                                             "On April 1, 2005, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger gave a conference at Subiaco, the cradle of Benedictine life. Nineteen days later, as bishop of Rome, he assumed the name of Saint Benedict. Pope Benedict’s message at Subiaco identifies what the world needs above all else. “We need,” he said, “men who hold their gaze directly towards God.”

Thank you Dear Lord, for coming to us, for keeping us company, for speaking to us, for living with us, and for giving us Your Heart.

HOMILY FOR THE ANNUNCAITON OF THE BLESSED LADY  (<--click here)

An Icon Inspired by Pope John Paul II: The Virgin Mother, Adorer of the Eucharistic Face of Christ