Angelus Domini

I remember seeing a print of Millet's "The Angelus" as a tween somewhere, and being intrigued by it. I wasn't sure what it was I liked about the painting, I just knew I liked it. Somewhere in the neighborhood of a decade later, I learned the Angelus Domini prayer, frequently referred to as "the Angelus" for short. Something like a decade after first learning the prayer, it's become my favorite prayer. And my appreciation for Millet's painting has grown as I understand not only what it depicts, but more and more, what it means to pray the Angelus.

There's long been a monastic tradition of praying the "tres orationes"- at 6 am, noon and 6 pm. When the bells sound, the monks cease their labor and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. The laity however, do not dwell in the monastery and often cannot stop their work for extended periods of prayer. But the Angelus takes only a few short minutes to pray, making it possible for the laity to pray in union with the cloistered.

Three Hail Marys in honor of the Incarnation- interspersed with verses that meditate on this greatest of gifts- God became man.

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.


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.


Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
Be it done unto me according to thy word.


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.


And the Word was made flesh,
And dwelt among us.


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.

Let me recommit myself once again, to pray the Angelus three times a day, devoting these hours to the deliberate recollection of God's gift to man, and prayer that I might be made worthy of this gift. Perhaps this painting was for me, all those years ago, a stella leading me to the King.

<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/subalbumone/walkwithhimwednesdays2-1.jpg" ></a>