the Annunciation

The Annunciation is the feast when Christians celebrate the day when the Angel Gabriel announced to St Mary that she was going to have a son - Jesus Christ. See gospel of Luke for more info.

The Annunciation reminds us that we need to be open to the gift of life from God, that when we are open to new life we are open to Christ himself; it reminds us that Christ came first and foremost as an unborn Child.

Our Lady teaches us that God bestows upon us many blessings and much honour when we accept the will of God regarding an unplanned pregnancy.

Our Lady offers hope to those women who find themselves in the position of having an unplanned pregnancy. Hope that in all obstacles they will face, Our Lady faced them also, and over came them with the help of God. It is a lesson to all of us that when we face even the most terrifying things in life if we face them with God and in accordance with his will, we will overcome them.

Let us hold in our hearts today all those women who Like Our Lady, are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, let us pray that Our Lady's example will give these women the strength, hope and courage they need to trust in God who will if they let him, walk with them and help them over come the difficulties they will face.

Let us also remember that we today are Angels (messengers) sent by God to the women of today who are considering abortion, as well as to all those who promote abortion.

We have come announce to them that pregnancy is the will of God, that these women have been highly favoured, that the Lord is with them, that although a pregnancy may not be planned, God has planned it and has done so for a purpose. May we not forget also, that we are here to announce to the world that when we live according to the will of God we have no reason to fear, that we are saying to women today and indeed the world what the Angel Gabriel said to Our Lady, "Do not be afraid"