Meditate on the Mystery of the Annunciation in the Prayer of the Rosary
The prayer of the Rosary includes 4 series of mysteries. The first series—the joyful mysteries—begins with the annunciation of the angel Gabriel to Mary. The Annunciation mystery is therefore the first mystery of the Rosary. The scene of the Annunciation, described in the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 1:26-38), invites us to meditate on the Fiat of Mary and to open ourselves to the graces of humility and trust. Find out how to pray and meditate on this beautiful mystery during your recitation of the rosary!
What is the Mystery of the Annunciation?
The Annunciation in the Bible
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
When and How to Meditate on the Mystery of the Annunciation in the Prayer of the Rosary?
The Annunciation Mystery introduces the Joyful Mysteries series. It corresponds to the first decade of the rosary. The other four decades are recited for the four other joyful mysteries that are the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the birth of Jesus, the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the finding of Jesus in the Temple.
The Joyful Mysteries traditionally correspond to the Monday and Thursday Rosaries. The mystery of the annunciation can be more particularly meditated on March 25, which is the day on which the Church celebrates the annunciation to the Virgin Mary.
Before reciting the decade, the mystery is cited and we can ask for the grace to see the fruit in our lives. The fruits associated with the mystery of the Annunciation are: humility, trust in God and his project, availability of heart.
Meditations and quotes on the Annunciation mystery
To better enter into this mystery, we can meditate on it through these different reflections that enlighten us on the scope of the announciation in our lives today.
Saying yes to the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives
“When we meditate on this joyous mystery, we are challenged to open ourselves to the transforming action of the Creator Spirit who makes us new beings, unites us with Him, and fills us with His life. And we are invited, with exquisite courtesy, to give our consent to His coming into us, to welcome the Word of God into our hearts, so that we may be made capable of responding to His love and opening ourselves to love one another.” - Benedict XVI
“My child, you do not know what obedience can produce: with one yes, with just one yes, 'Let it be done to me according to your word.' Mary becomes the Mother of the Most High; in doing so, she declared herself His servant but kept her virginity intact, which was so precious to God and to her own eyes. Through Mary's yes, the world receives salvation; humanity is redeemed. So, let us also strive to do God's will and always say yes to the Lord.” (Saint Padre Pio)
Agree to rely on God: freely ...
“Mary welcomes the will of the Father, the Virgin obeys out of love, freely. She is a creature of God, the property of God, the perfect likeness of God. The ideal use of the faculties and privileges granted to her, allows Mary to carry out exclusively the will of God, out of love for the Holy Trinity.” (Saint Maximilian Kolbe)
... and humbly, like Mary
“What is announced to Mary, she could not even have asked for it, so much there was sublimity and excellence. Mary, humble, withdrawn, small in her own eyes, did not even think that an angel could greet her, especially with such high words, and her humility threw her into confusion. But the angel immediately said, “Do not be afraid, Mary.” (Holy Curé of Ars)
Meditate on the different mysteries of the rosary with Hozana and Rosario
Hozana offers you different tools and formats that are free and accessible to all to accompany you in your prayer of the rosary and in the meditation of the mysteries.
- Join the online retreat on Hozana to discover the beauty of the prayer of the rosary
- Download Rosario—the first living rosary app—for free and experience the common prayer of the Rosary!
