Angelus Domini

Traditionally prayed three times daily: 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.

The Angelus is a devotional prayer commemorating the Annunciation — the moment the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God. Traditionally it is prayed three times daily, announced by the ringing of church bells.

The Prayer

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary...

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done 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.
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.

About This Prayer

The Angelus in its current form dates to the 13th century, though its roots are earlier. Pope John XXIII famously recited the Angelus from his window on Sunday, a practice continued by his successors. The Angelus is replaced by the Regina Caeli during Eastertide.