A thrice-daily prayer of versicles and Hail Marys commemorating the Annunciation and the Incarnation.
Tagged: Daily Prayer Marian Devotion Prayer Catholic
The Text
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy 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. Amen.
Historical Context
The Angelus grew out of the medieval practice of praying three Hail Marys at the evening bell, attested among Franciscans in the 13th century, and it spread to morning and midday by the 16th century. Its three versicles retell the Annunciation from Luke 1 and John 1:14, each followed by a Hail Mary. Church bells traditionally ring at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. to call the faithful to the prayer; during Eastertide the Regina Caeli replaces it.
Use and Practice
Catholics pray the Angelus at morning, noon, and evening, individually or in families, schools, and parishes. It is also prayed by some Anglicans.
References
- USCCB Prayers and Devotions Free / open access
- EWTN Devotions Free / open access
Related Prayers and Creeds
- Hail Mary — A prayer to the Virgin Mary built from the angel's greeting in Luke 1, asking for her intercession.
- Prayers of the Rosary — The set of prayers prayed on the beads of the Rosary, including the Fatima Prayer and the Hail Holy Queen.
- Glory Be (Gloria Patri) — A short doxology praising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, used across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant worship.
Related Across the Site
- Act of Contrition Prayer or Creed — A prayer of sorrow for sin, prayed in the Sacrament of Penance and in personal examination of conscience.
- Anima Christi Prayer or Creed — A medieval prayer asking Christ's body, blood, and passion to sanctify, save, and protect the one who prays.
- Glory Be (Gloria Patri) Prayer or Creed — A short doxology praising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, used across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant worship.
- Hail Mary Prayer or Creed — A prayer to the Virgin Mary built from the angel's greeting in Luke 1, asking for her intercession.
- Jesus Prayer Prayer or Creed — A short, repeated invocation of Jesus asking for mercy, central to the Orthodox hesychast tradition.
- Prayers of the Rosary Prayer or Creed — The set of prayers prayed on the beads of the Rosary, including the Fatima Prayer and the Hail Holy Queen.
- Te Deum Prayer or Creed — An ancient Latin hymn of praise to God, sung on occasions of solemn thanksgiving in Catholic and Anglican worship.
- The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) Prayer or Creed — The prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, shared by Christians of every tradition.