The Angelus

Overview

The Angelus is a traditional prayer that focuses on the Bible story of the Annunciation to Mary and on the mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus

The Angelus

Leader: The angel spoke God’s message to Mary,

Response: and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

L: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

R: Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

L: ‘I am the lowly servant of the Lord’

R: let it be done to me according to your word.

L: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

R: Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

L: And the Word become flesh

R: and lived among us.

L: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

R: Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

L: Pray for us, holy Mother of God,

R: that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

L: Let us pray.

All: Lord, fill our hearts with your grace:

once, through the message of an angel you revealed to us the

incarnation of your Son; now, through his suffering and death

lead us to the glory of his resurrection. We ask this through

Christ our Lord. Amen.

Context/background

The name of this prayer comes from the Latin phrase ‘Angelus Domini’, which means ‘Angel of the Lord’.

It is not known where this prayer began, but historians believe it may date back to the tenth century in England. The wording today was established in the sixteenth century and is traditionally prayed three times a day at morning, noon and sunset, after a church or chapel bell is rung.