Day 5: Annunciation Novena

Learn more about this novena here: The Annunciation Novena.

Day 5 Reflection: From Fear to Trust

From Praying the Angelus (pp. 74-75).

We have such an interesting relationship with God’s will. Much of the time, we know what God wants us to do, but we’re afraid that it won’t make us happy. When we resist God’s will, we almost always have other plans in place that we are afraid to lose. We want things done our way. Pope Francis addressed this state of affairs in a 2013 Twitter post:

Sometimes we know what we have to do, but we lack the courage to do it.
Let us learn from Mary how to make decisions, trusting in the Lord.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 3, 2013

Mary “was greatly troubled at what was said” according to the Gospel of Luke; in fact, the angel had to comfort her: “Do not be afraid” (Lk 1:29–30). Her fear then turned to doubt: “How can this be?” she asked the angel, who reassured her that “nothing will be impossible for God” (Lk 1:34, 37).

When we have big decisions to make in life, we should expect to feel that fear at first. We should even expect, like Mary, to enter into periods of doubt about the possibility of God’s will for our lives will become a reality. Ultimately, like Mary, we can turn to God in loving trust when faced with difficult choices. We may not know what the future holds, but we can be confident that God’s love for us is much greater than we can understand.

Do you have any decisions that you are unsure of or afraid to act upon? You may know in your heart what you have to do. Pray for the courage to act. Decide, and place your trust in the Lord, just as Mary did.

The Annunciation Novena

O most holy Virgin Mary,
to whom God sent the Angel Gabriel
to announce that you should be the mother of his only-begotten Son,
pray for us who have recourse to you.

Holy, lovely Mary,
We give our all to you
What is past and present,
And the future, too.
Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

(State your intention here . . .)

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of 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

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done to me according to thy word.

Hail Mary. . .

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

Hail Mary. . .

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

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.