The most beautiful and powerful Angelus prayer
Many are those who pray the Angelus prayer. We pray it three times a day to commemorate Christ’s resurrection in the morning, his suffering at noon and the annunciation event in the evening.
The Angelus prayer, which comes from the Latin angel, is a Christian devotion which celebrate the Incarnation. The proper name of this Marian prayer, Angelus, comes from its introductory phrase Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ (“… the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary …”). Franciscan tradition is deeply intertwined with the evolution of this Marian prayer. In fact, Franciscan convents and churches were already praying the Angelus by 1263. This is proved by the liturgical texts which were prepared by the Franciscan Sinigardi di Arezzo which were used in the 13th century.
Although its origin is uncertain yet it can be traced back to many centuries ago. For D.D Emmons, who writes at Our Sunday Vistor, he says: A review of Church history shows that this devotion did not appear suddenly, but developed over several centuries. Most Church historians agree that the Angelus can be traced back to 11th-century Italy, where monks said three Hail Marys during night prayers, at the last bell of the day. Others think that the Angles goes back to the 14th century since it was a diffused practice for Europeans to pray three Hail Marys in the evening. Other sources say that From early on, The Angelus was specifically prayed for peace and safety.
It has been said that as early as the mid-13th century, the Franciscans in Assisi followed night prayer (compline) with a Hail Mary and the ringing of bells. Furthermore, others think that the Angelus came from St Francis’ particularly loving devotion towards the mystery of Incarnation, his love of Mary, the Mother of God, as well as his desire to make sure that prayer becomes part and parcel of people’s lives.
In 1269, St Bonaventure exhorted the faithful to embrace the custom of the Franciscans by praying three Hail Marys as the evening bell was rung. By the 17th century, a fixed pattern had been established for this prayer. When the church bells were rung at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m., short verses from Scripture were recited, each related with the Incarnation, each followed by a Hail Mary, and a closing prayer at the end.
When one prays the Angelus with faith grace flow from it. One of the saints who was devoted to this prayer was St Germaine Cousin. The little shepherdess of Pibrac in France, would drop to her knees in prayer upon hearing the Angelus ring—even while crossing a stream.
We have also popes who were devoted to the Angelus prayer. Pope St Paul VI started to pray the Angelus prayer together with a brief address to the pilgrims in St Peter’s Square in 1964. Presently, Pope Francis prays the Angelus at noon on Sundays and holy days when he is at the Vatican. Following his predecessors, Popes John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, he kicks off with a Gospel reflection. After praying the Angelus, he speaks to Catholics near and far, greeting different groups present in the square, and showing his solidarity with and prayers for both those experiencing suffering and those celebrating particular moments.
Before concluding let us say something about the tradition of the midday Angelus, too. This is relatively old. The University of Dayton says that, by the mid-15th century, Pope Callistus III prescribed the daily ringing of the bells at midday with the prayer of the three Hail Marys. In 1475, Pope Sixtus IV gave [ed] an indulgence for praying the midday Angelus. From that point forward, the triple ringing of the bells can be heard throughout the West at morning, midday, and evening.
The Angelus is practiced by praying as versicle and response three Biblical verses describing the mystery (according to Luke’s Gospel); alternating with the “Hail Mary!” Here is the Angelus prayer:
The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
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 at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to thy Word.
Hail Mary…
And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt amongst us.
Hail Mary…
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hail Mary…
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, your 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.
R. Amen.
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
