What is the Angelus?

The Angelus is a short Catholic prayer honoring the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and Mary’s faithful response to God. It is traditionally prayed in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.

What the name means. The prayer takes its name from its opening Latin word, Angelus, meaning angel. Its verses recall the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, her consent, and the eternal Word becoming flesh (Lk 1:26-38; Jn 1:14). The Angelus therefore centers on Christ. It praises God for becoming man for our salvation and honors Mary because she freely cooperated with His grace.

How to pray it. The prayer alternates short verses and responses, with a Hail Mary after each exchange:

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

Pray one Hail Mary.

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

Pray one Hail Mary.

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

Pray one Hail Mary.

Then pray:

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

The concluding prayer asks God to pour His grace into our hearts so that, having known Christ’s Incarnation through the angel’s message, we may be brought through His Passion and Cross to the glory of His Resurrection.

What it teaches. The Angelus holds together the Annunciation, Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection. At the Annunciation, Mary received God’s word in faith and consented to become the Mother of the Savior (CCC 484, 494). Her response, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” is a model of obedient faith for every Christian (Lk 1:38). Asking Mary to pray for us expresses the communion of saints and directs us toward her Son (CCC 2673-2679).

When it is prayed. Church bells have traditionally rung for the Angelus around 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m., though exact times vary. Catholics may pray it alone, with family, or in a parish community. During the Easter season, the Regina Caeli, a prayer celebrating Christ’s Resurrection, is customarily prayed instead. The Angelus is a devotion, not a sacramental obligation. Begin with the noon Angelus. It takes only a few minutes and turns the middle of an ordinary day toward the mystery of God made flesh.