Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass on Solemnity of Annunciation and says “We are before a mystery” Full Video

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FROM THE CHAPEL OF CASA SANTA MARTA

HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Introduction to Mass

Today, feast of the Incarnation of the Lord, the Sisters Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who direct, have been serving in the Dispensary of Santa Marta for 98 years, and have been here at Mass, renewing their vows together with their sisters in every part of the world. I would like to offer Mass today for them, for their Congregation that always works with the sick, the poorest, as here for 98 years, and for all the sisters who are working at the moment looking after the sick and also risking their lives and giving the life.

Homily

The evangelist Luke (cf 1,26-38) could only know this [event] from the story of the Madonna. Listening to Luca we listened to the Madonna who tells this mystery. We stand before the mystery. Perhaps the best thing we can do now is to reread this passage thinking that it was Our Lady who told it.

[reads the text of the Gospel again]

At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee, called Názaret, to a virgin, betrothed to a man from the house of David named Joseph. The virgin was called Maria. Entering her, she said: "Rejoice, full of grace: the Lord is with you." At these words she was very upset and wondered what sense a greeting like this made. The angel said to her: "Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found grace with God. And behold, you will conceive a son, you will give birth to him and you will call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father and will reign forever over the house of Jacob and his kingdom will have no end. " Then Mary said to the angel, "How will this happen, since I know no man?" The angel replied: "The Holy Spirit will descend on you and the power of the Most High will cover you with his shadow. Therefore the one who will be born will be holy and will be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, in her old age has also conceived a son and this is the sixth month for her, who was called sterile: nothing is impossible for God ». Then Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: let it be done to me according to your word." And the angel turned away from her.

This is the mystery. Now the sisters will renew their vows.

Prayer to make spiritual communion

People who cannot approach Communion make spiritual communion:

“At your feet, O my Jesus, I bow down and offer you the repentance of my contrite heart that sinks into its nothingness and Your holy presence. I adore you in the Sacrament of Your love, the ineffable Eucharist. I wish to receive you in the poor abode that my heart offers you. In anticipation of the happiness of sacramental communion, I want to possess you in the Spirit. Come to me, my Jesus, and that I come to you. May Your love inflame my whole being, for life and death. I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. So be it".