The Question of The Blessed Virgin and the Angel's Answer

DECEMBER 12, 2025

“And Mary said to the angel: ‘How shall this be done?’ and the angel answering said to her: ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, because no word shall be impossible with God’” (Luke 1, 34–37).

First Prelude: Reverently enter the Blessed Virgin’s humble abode and listen to her discourse with the heavenly messenger.

Second Prelude: O Immaculate Virgin, let me learn of thee a tender love of holy virginity and humble confidence in the all-powerful assistance of God.

First Point

“HOW SHALL THIS BE DONE?”

Must we not admire the prudent reserve of the Blessed Virgin, who spoke only after having well considered the angel’s words? She was not incredulous, but only desired to know how his message could be harmonized with her vow of virginity: “How shall this be done?” The magic of this word has drawn countless souls to Christ, and merited for Mary the glorious title “Queen of Virgins.” How perfectly did the sentiments of Mary conform to the designs of God, and how worthy did she appear of the sublime dignity about to be conferred upon her! It was her spotless purity, her love of virginity that made her the object of the especial love and predilection of Jesus; that made her worthy to become His Mother. He delights to dwell in pure hearts. Would we have Jesus dwell in our hearts, too, then we must endeavor to keep even the very shadow of sin aloof. We have long since given Jesus our hearts, of which He is so jealous. Should we not displease Him, therefore, by entertaining unnecessary or even dangerous thoughts? How necessary is it for us in imitation of the example of our holy Mother, to be reserved in our words, to curb our curiosity which so endangers purity and humility! Let us love seclusion and shun seeing and being seen, lest the beautiful splendor of the angelic virtue be marred in us, that God may look upon us with pleasure and impart His graces abundantly.

Do my words testify to a pure heart and prudent reserve? Do I love solitude, mortification of the eyes and the tongue, as custodians of holy purity?

Second Point

THE ANSWER OF THE ANGEL

The angel assures Mary that the ineffable mystery shall be accomplished in her by the operation of the Holy Ghost. The same Divine Omnipotence which wrought the astounding miracle of the Incarnation in Mary, must effect all good in us. It must overshadow us, strengthen us in temptation and complete the work of grace, our sanctification. Let us not obstruct the operations of the Holy Spirit in our soul, nor suffer ourselves to be misled by sensuality, self-love, and human respect.

To confirm Mary in confidence, but more for our instruction, the angel concludes with the words: “No word shall be impossible with God.” To all the difficulties that loom up in our imagination, either to make our faith waver or to shake our trust, let us answer: I believe because God has revealed it; I hope for all that He has promised, for with God nothing is impossible. Let us seek encouragement with St. Paul, when he says: “I can do all things in Him Who strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4, 13). Provided I am docile to His grace, God will accomplish whatever He has entrusted to me. The discharge of the duties of my office, the perfect accomplishment of every task assigned to me by obedience, will become possible through Him to Whom nothing is impossible.

Nevertheless, in our endeavor to acquire perfection, in the combat of our evil propensities, our inherent misery may assert itself and advance the objection: How is it possible that I shall ever become a zealous religious? Oh, in answer to such timidity we, too, hear the words of the angel: “With God there is nothing impossible.” Even lukewarm souls, if they are truly humble, faithful to grace, and constant in prayer, shall become fervent and their works fruitful for eternal life.

Affections: O purest Virgin, enhanced by thy wisdom and humility, virginity shines forth in thee in all its splendor. Thou hast merited to conceive and to present to us Him Who comes as the “Blessed in the name of the Lord.” Thou fillest heaven with exultation and bliss, and earth with joy and delight. O Mary, who hast found grace which establishes peace between God and man, obtain for thy children, a share of this blessed peace. Obtain for us thy profound humility, thy heavenly purity, thy fiery steadfast love of God, that nothing may be impossible for us, and that with implicit trust in God we may accomplish all His sacred designs.

Resolution: In all difficulties, I will humbly have recourse to God.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Nothing shall be impossible with God.”

Prayer: Remember, O most gracious Virgin …

The Angel Calms the Blessed Virgin

DECEMBER 11, 2025

“Who having heard was troubled at his saying, and thought what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: ‘Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God’ ” (Luke 1, 29).

First Prelude: Again, in spirit, enter the humble dwelling at Nazareth and contemplate the Blessed Virgin, troubled at the angel’s words.

Second Prelude: Ask of the Blessed Virgin a share in her wonderful humility and unbounded confidence.

FIRST POINT

EFFECTS OF THE ANGELIC SALUTATION

The evangelist relates that “When Mary heard this she was troubled, and thought what manner of salutation this should be.” Mary’s fear proceeded from her deep humility. It was not the appearance of the angel, not the wonderful splendor surrounding him that troubled her—she was accustomed to intercourse with heavenly spirits, as the mystical writers say; but she was troubled at the angel’s words. He had said: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1, 28). Her humility was unable to comprehend the extraordinary distinction suggested by these words.

What an example does the Blessed Virgin set us in this mystery! She had every reason to rejoice at the angel’s message; yet she feared; her heart sought no honor, no preference, she rejected the praise bestowed upon her. She deemed herself unworthy to be thus singularly honored by God with such rare graces. Her humility is as profound as her knowledge of God is sublime and exalted. Why are there so few humble souls? Is it not because profound knowledge of God and thorough knowledge of self are rarely found among men? If we wish to advance in perfection we must strive earnestly to grow in this two-fold knowledge, and often propound to ourselves the question: “Who is God and who am I?” St. Charles Borromeo who was so deeply grounded in humility, said: “Mary, the humble Virgin, becomes troubled on hearing an angel praise her in virtue of a divine command; we, miserable sinners, crave the empty praises of men.”

All those who constantly commune with God by the contemplation of divine things, and a pure life, flee honor and praise, and if such, nevertheless, are accorded them, they accept them reluctantly. How am I disposed in this respect? Do I bear in mind that the grace of God finds no entrance into a heart filled with self?

SECOND POINT

THE ANGEL CALMS THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Noticing the fear of Mary, the angel quieted her and said: “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God” (Luke 1, 30). It is peculiar to the spirit of God to dispel fear from our hearts. An inspiration is divine if it begets peace and implicit confidence in God, which are ever its special marks. The false insinuations of the Evil One always beget unrest and usually mislead to vain presumption and mistrust in God’s mercy. No imperfection attached to the Blessed Virgin’s fear, but the angel dispelled it that she might receive the divine message with perfect composure. “Thou hast found grace with God,” this is the reason why Mary should not fear; she possessed God’s grace, His love and pleasure. This consciousness is an impenetrable shield against all fear, for what could frighten her whom the Holy Ghost assures that she is a child of God?

Oh, let us guard against losing the grace of God or weakening its effects through our fault! On our deathbed, nothing shall be able to give us greater assurance than the knowledge that, with the grace of God, we have always endeavored to do what we recognized as pleasing to Him, feared sin and by contrition and penance, atoned for the sins committed. May we not in all humility and confidence, still hope to find grace with God? Let us beg Mary, who constantly corresponded to grace, to help us repair our past abuse of graces by redoubled zeal and fervor.

Do I suffer myself to be unnecessarily disquieted and troubled by the insinuations of the devil? Have I not thus lost much valuable time?

Affections: O Mary, thou blest Spouse of the Holy Spirit, blest Mother of the Eternal Word, glorious Queen of Angels, amiable Mother of Mercy, how I rejoice in thy ineffable happiness! Truly, with fullest justice did the angel say to thee: “Thou hast found grace with God.” And in what measure hadst thou found grace! Thou hadst not only received the fullness of grace thyself, but, in thy adorable Son, the source and fountain-head of all graces and merits. Oh, how rich and happy art thou! Pray incessantly for me that thy Divine Son may pardon all my sins and endow me with grace, wisdom and divine love. Pray that He may grant me a happy death, be merciful to me in Judgment and receive me into the abode of eternal peace and bliss.

Resolution: I will manifest great modesty and reserve in my words and actions.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.”

Prayer: Remember, O most gracious Virgin …

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