The Angelus

Another well known set form of prayer is the Angelus, the signal for which is the ringing of the church bell, usually in the morning, at midday and in the evening.  The bell for the Angelus is ring in a special way – three groups of three strokes each, with a short interval between each group, and then nine strokes of the bell straight off.

This fits in with the prayers which consist of three groups, each containing the Hail Mary, and ends with the Collect for the Feast of the Annunciation.  It is called the Angelus for that is the Latin word for angel with which this form of prayer begins.  And it is said in honour of God the Son’s gift of himself to us through Our Lady, when, in the words of the Creed, for us and for our salvation, he “came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made Man”.

We say it like this:

V. The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary;
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

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

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
R. Be it unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary…

V. And the Word was made Flesh;
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary…

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God;
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his Cross (we make the sign of the Cross) and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of his Resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.