The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 24 and 25, a momentous occasion of profound spiritual significance, commemorating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Savior of the World. In Nazareth, the very site of this sacred encounter, the faithful from across the Galilee gather each year to partake in spiritual and communal celebrations—a time of renewal, joy, and unity in faith.
Procession to the Basilica
The celebrations commenced on the evening of Monday, March 24, with a solemn procession led by H.B. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Galilee, and Msgr. Boulos Marcuzzo. The procession moved from St. Anthony Center toward the Basilica of the Annunciation. At the forefront, scouts played symphonies, symbolizing the joy of the event, followed by religious sisters, clergy members, seminarians, and the faithful, who sang Marian hymns and prayed together. The streets surrounding the basilica were filled with a special festive spirit as the faithful embarked on a journey of prayer and reflection.
Prayer at the Grotto of the Annunciation
Upon arrival at the Basilica of the Annunciation, His Beatitude and the accompanying delegation were received by the heads of the churches in Nazareth. Fr. Wojciech Boloz, OFM, rector of the Basilica, then welcomed the Cardinal and presented him with the stole and blessed water, which he used to bless the faithful. The procession then paused before the grotto, where prayers were lifted in remembrance of the moment that changed history—a divine encounter marked by Mary’s “yes,” filled with grace, faith, and trust in God. It was a deeply moving moment as the faithful stood in reverence, expressing gratitude for God’s grace and praying for peace and stability in the country and the world.
Traditional Procession and Prayers for Peace
As night fell, the faithful participated in a traditional procession in the church courtyard. Carrying candles, they recited Marian hymns and the Rosary, offering prayers for peace in the country and the world. The procession culminated in Eucharistic adoration, where the faithful knelt before the Blessed Eucharist, contemplating God’s humble presence among them and entrusting their lives and concerns to Him.
Fr. Ibrahim Sabbagh, parish priest of Nazareth, warmly welcomed the Cardinal, expressing the faithful’s joy for his pastoral presence on this occasion. The Cardinal then addressed the gathering, saying: “Despite the challenges our country faces, today remains a moment of celebration. We rejoice in the Word that changed the course of history, for God Himself drew near to us. We have come to thank the Virgin Mary for her response—a ‘yes’ that opened the door of salvation to the world".
The Feast Mass and the Cardinal’s Homily
On the morning of March 25, His Beatitude presided over the Holy Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, joined by bishops, priests, and a multitude of faithful. In his homily, he reflected on the Virgin Mary’s profound and unwavering “yes,” emphasizing how this act of obedience marked the beginning of salvation for humanity. He urged the faithful to follow Mary’s example by placing their trust in God’s plan and spreading His message of love and peace.
“Through her ‘Here I am,’ prophecies are fulfilled, heaven is opened, and hope is reborn for every human being. We have come here to be guided once again by the Virgin Mary, to learn from her how we should live in these times,” he stated, urging the faithful to also say “Here I am” to God in their daily lives. He reminded them that “God is still guiding time and history today, in the same style of Nazareth, the style of meekness.”
His Beatitude emphasized that true hope does not depend on human actions or worldly power but springs from an encounter with the Lord Jesus: “Our hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:5). It does not rely on human efforts or the decisions of the powerful but is rooted in God alone. The Virgin Mary gave us this hope through her free acceptance of God’s will.”
Conclusion of the Celebrations: A Message of Faith and Hope
To conclude the celebrations, the Cardinal led a solemn procession around the upper opening of the House of the Virgin Mary, as the Gospels of the Incarnation were proclaimed in multiple languages. At precisely noon, the Angelus prayer was recited, accompanied by the ringing of the church bells. His Beatitude then imparted his blessing with a relic from the House of Mary, granting plenary indulgence to all who met the necessary conditions.
The Feast of the Annunciation concluded in an atmosphere of joy and contemplation, as the faithful departed with renewed faith and hope. The faithful affirmed that this occasion is not merely an annual commemoration but an opportunity to renew their faith empowered by the response of the Virgin Mary. As the echoes of prayer and celebration faded, the message of the Annunciation remained alive in the hearts of the faithful—a message of faith, surrender, and the enduring hope that God continues to work in history through those who say, “Here I am.”
