The Angelus A special prayer when we pause in what we are doing to bring to mind God’s presence with us in our daily lives

Angelus means ‘angel’ and is simply how the prayer starts when said in Latin. Before each ‘Hail Mary’, there is a brief introduction which echoes a Gospel passage either from St Luke or St John. The prayer goes back to medieval times. In the midst of work, the bell for the Angelus would sound, morning, noon and evening. It helped people to stop and mark the hours with prayer and bring to mind God’s presence even in their daily work.

The Angelus recalls how God became one of us, God-with-us, through the humble ‘yes’ of Mary. When people pray the Angelus, they are reminded of this tremendous act: the Son of God made himself little enough to become as we are and be born into our world. They respond by inviting Jesus into their days, hours and moments as Emmanuel, God-with-us. We too are called to respond to Jesus, who is God-with-us, with all our gifts and talents and in all the variety of our lives.

(Words in italics are usually said by a leader, other words are said by everyone together) The Angelus

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 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 Your Word

Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.

And the Word was made flesh And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.

Of the promises of Christ. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy Of the promises of Christ. Amen