The Annunciation
The Annunciation
The Annunciation to Mary and the resulting Incarnation of the Word constitute the deepest mystery of the relationship between God and man. It is the most important event in human history, celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before the birth of Christ on Christmas. It is a solemnity because it marks the moment that God entered human history in the flesh. Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains.
Then hear about the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship that seeks to equip parishes with the resources they need to celebrate more beautiful and reverent liturgies.
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Living as Pilgrims of Hope. Talks by the Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, Provincial Superior of the Marian Fathers and author of Understanding Divine Mercy. Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Vice Provincial & Vocations Director, and author of Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father; and Fr. Mark Baron, MIC, Director of the Association of Marian Helpers (“Fr. Joseph”).
In Revelation 12, Scripture presents a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1). As Fr. Chris explains, this image points unmistakably to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her heavenly glory reveals the one chosen by God to bear Christ, the King who “is to rule all the nations” (Rev 12:5). Yet confusion arises when the passage speaks of her crying out in pain. These are not physical labor pains from the birth of Jesus.
