The first joyful mystery is the Annunciation of the Lord to Mary. Its fruit is humility and invites us to say 'yes' to the will of the Lord. 

I consider it important to focus also on the final sentence of Luke's Annunciation narrative: “And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). The great hour of Mary's encounter with God's messenger–in which her whole life is changed–comes to an end, and she remains there alone, with a task that truly surpasses all human capacity. There are no angels standing around her. She must continue along the path that leads to many dark moments–from Joseph's dismay at her pregnancy to the moment when Jesus is said to be out of his mind (cf. Mark 3:21; John 10:20) right up to the night of the cross.
How often in these situations must Mary have returned inwardly to the hour when God's angel had spoken to her, pondering afresh the greeting: “Rejoice, full of grace!” And the consoling words: “Do not be afraid!” The angel departs; her mission remains, and with it matures her inner closeness to God,  a closeness that in her heart she is able to see and touch. - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, The Infancy Narratives.

Prayer intention: for the priests

Father, we entrust to Your care the priests and the consecrated of Your Church. Please gather the lost sheep, that committed shameful acts: put in their heart a sincere repentance, and grant them the courage to do all they can so their victims may obtain justice, grant them to repair the horror they created by coming forward and admitting their crimes. 

Father, take under Your caring wing the ecclesial authorities who are dealing with such scandals: help them adopt the correct attitude, while always defending the interest of the victims, and of their families, thus honoring the Church. And finally, Father, give strength to the priests and religious who are faithful servants of the Gospel and whose burden is heavy these days when the clergy is under suspicion, and who are even victims of false accusations. 

With Mary and Saint Michael Archangel, we ask You in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Let us pray:

One Our Father.

Ten Hail Mary.

The special prayers to the Blessed Virgin and St. Michael Archangel by clicking on the button "Pray" below.

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Picture: The Annunciation, by Fra Angelico.