March 25, which is nine months before the
celebration of the Birth of Christ, is the Annunciation, when Jesus was
conceived within the body of the Virgin Mary as she accepted her call to be
the Mother of God.
Priests for Life, along with many other pro-life
groups, urges believers to celebrate this day as a Day of the Unborn Child,
with special observances that highlight the Church’s pro-life teachings.
Fr. Frank
The Magisterium’s most comprehensive statement on the
sanctity of life, the encyclical
Evangelium Vitae, was issued on March 25, 1995, the Solemnity of the
Annunciation. This feast marks the moment at which the Incarnation took
place. At Mary’s "Fiat," God began existing in a human nature - a human
nature at the earliest stages of its development within Mary’s body.
"Mary’s consent at the Annunciation and her
motherhood stand at the very beginning of the mystery of life which Christ
came to bestow on humanity" (Evangelium Vitae, 102).
At a time when our society is beset with the evil of
abortion, and when the human embryo is treated as a mere object for
scientific research, Priests for Life believes that the celebration of the
Feast of the Annunciation is more important than ever. By celebrating this
Feast with special solemnity, and by spending more time meditating on its
doctrinal and spiritual lessons, the faithful can be even more solidly
rooted in their pro-life convictions, and spurred on to effective action in
defense of life.
We pray that the pastors of the Church will lead
their congregations in special pro-life observances on this Solemnity each
year.
Reflection by Pope John Paul II on the Annunciation
Reflections by Fr. Frank Pavone on the significance
of this Feast:
First
reflection and
Second
reflection
Annunciation homily by Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA
Reflections by Fr.
Charles Byrd, Georgia
A special prayer that can be used as you
observe this Feast:
Redeemer in the Womb
Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon
Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.
You also shared our time in the womb. While still
God, while worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling
every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary.
You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.
Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the
children who today are in their mothers’ womb. Save them from the danger of
abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and
soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child
a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb.
Redentor en el Vientre
Señor Jesucristo, compartiste nuestra misma
naturaleza. Nuestra vida y nuestra muerte, nuestra infancia y nuestra
madurez.
También compartiste nuestra vida dentro del
vientre maternal. Siendo Dios, adorado y alabado por los ángeles, Tú que
llenas a plenitud todo el universo, viviste nueve meses dentro del vientre
de María. Eres nuestro redentor en el vientre, nuestro Dios en condición
pre-natal.
Señor Jesús, te rogamos, bendice y protege a los
niños que se encuentran en los vientres de sus Madres. Sálvalos del peligro
del aborto.
Dale a sus Madres la gracia que necesitan para que puedan sacrificarse en
cuerpo y alma por sus hijos. Ayuda Señor a la gente para que puedan
reconocer en los niños, aún antes de nacer, a un hermano o hermana, que ha
sido redimido por Ti, nuestro Redentor en el vientre.
News releases from past years of celebrating the
Annunciation:
The
Annunciation: A Feast of Life
Pro-Life Leaders Call for Annunciation Celebration
A special booklet with suggestions for observing the
Annunciation is available from Priests for Life. Email
orders@priestsforlife.org or
call 888-735-3448, ext. 237, and ask for the booklet “Life is a Miracle.”
