THE ANNUNCIATION: MARY'S OPENNESS TO THE WILL OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2001 (VIS) - After returning to the Vatican from St. Dominic's Parish in Rome where he celebrated Mass, John Paul II appeared at his study window to pray the noon Angelus with the faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

In reflections he made before reciting the Angelus, the Holy Father reminded the faithful that today marks the feast of the Annunciation but, as it falls on a Sunday in Lent, it will be celebrated tomorrow. He said he recalled "the intense moments of the celebration that last year, in these very days, I was able to preside in Nazareth at the basilica of the Annunciation. With profound emotion I knelt in the humble grotto in which Mary heard the words of the angel, and pronounced her 'fiat', making herself totally open to God's will."

He asked the faithful to contemplate this mystery and to "faithfully serve' the 'Gospel of life' entrusted to us by Christ. In the face of the culture of death and the attacks which, unfortunately, are multiplying against the life of man, may the commitment to defend it in every stage, from the first instant of conception to the twilight of life, never be lacking. May mankind know a renewed springtime of life in respecting and welcoming every human being, in whose face shines the image of Christ! Let us pray for this together with Mary, 'the living word of comfort for the Church in her struggle against death'."

In post-Angelus reflections, the Pope turned to yesterday's celebration in Italy of the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionary Martyrs, saying that this initiative "invites ecclesial communities to remember the men and women who died for fidelity to Christ and the Gospel." He recalled that during the year 2000, 29 missionaries, including four Italians, died.

After greetings to the faithful in several languages, Pope John Paul concluded with words of thanks to all those who belong to groups or associations "actively committed against abortion and for life. Remembering the day in which Mary conceived the Child Jesus, I wish to send a special blessing to women awaiting a child and especially to those who are in difficult situations. To all I say: A child conceived is always an invitation to live and to hope."

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