The Anunciation of the Lord

 We celebrate the Feast of Annunciation on March 25th- the day on which Mary was told she was to be the mother of the world's redeemer. This is exactly nine months before Christ's birth on December 25th.  Church calendar makes it sense, infact when on mary's third month , Elizabeth was indeed on her sixth month of pregnancy, have a look after three months which falls in June, turn the calendar to see what happens then.

In some parts of the world celebrate, March 25th marks Lady day. the Lady refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The incarnation changes everything. In the middle year, civil year began today. When the word takes flesh in Virgin Mary., the human history takes a new beginning. The old name for the feast is Lady day. from the the book of feast and season, it says, the devotion to Mary in the middle ages was responsible for forming many attitudes towards women in Christian Europe, through Mary, women were given huge respect through manner and attitudes, like men taking off hato a Lady, offering a seat to her in a bus or train, opening  a door for her, when she enters.

Today at noon, you are meant to stop from what you are doing for just a couple of minutes and say angelus  to recall the incarnation and thank God for it. Some churches still ring out angelus bell. March 25th is called Waffle day in Sweden. Why not try and have some toasted waffle with cream and jam. There are lot of ideas you can borrow for today from aslice of smith life.

Free Resources

During the time of COVID 19 outbreak, many are self isolating and closure of schools happening . 

A lot of people around who are doing good works through online too, magnificat one of the beautiful magazine of daily prayers and mass, providing online complimentary free version to help with people these tough days, not able to attend H Mass.

There is magnifikid(kids version) available for free download for this month and next, which is very good for children aged 6-12.

Another thing is to encourage everyone to do prayer of spiritual communion. Many saints practised many times a day.

Formed is onestop for all catholic media resources, watch movie, podcasts and so on and they are giving out free subscription for 40 days and make sure cancel before it if you want to subscribe free.

Children along with adults can be encouraged to do examination of conscience before finishes the day or in bed. Acronym BAKER can help to do examen.

B- Blessings. Praising and Thanking God.

A- Ask. Ask Holy Spirit to enlighten you, recognise your sins.

K- Kill. It was our sins killed and crucified Lord. Search for commissions and omissions.

E- Embrace God's forgiveness. Be sorry for sin and Jesus to embrace you with the rays of His mercy.

  R- Resolution. Look ahead to the next day, anticipating potential pitfalls and opportunities.(This is taken from Fr Gaitley- from consoling the Heart of Jesus).