Pray · Understand · Explore
Sacred Reply Prayer Library
The Angelus
The Angelus is a traditional Catholic devotion recalling the Annunciation and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Pray
Angelus
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 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. V. And the Word was made flesh. R. 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. 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.
Explore what this prayer meansIn brief
Catholics pray the Angelus to pause during the day and remember the Incarnation: the moment the eternal Son of God took human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Understand
What is this prayer?
The Angelus is a short Catholic devotion built around three verses recalling the Annunciation, three Hail Marys and a concluding prayer focused on the Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of Christ.
Quick facts
- Focus
- The Incarnation of Jesus Christ
- Traditional times
- Morning, noon and evening
- Marian element
- Three Hail Marys
- Easter season
- Traditionally replaced by the Regina Caeli
- Name
- From the opening Latin word Angelus
Why Catholics pray it
Why it matters
The Angelus repeatedly draws the mind back to Jesus becoming man. Mary appears because her free response to God belongs to the Gospel account of the Incarnation, but Christ remains the centre of the devotion.
When to pray
When Catholics use it
The Angelus is traditionally prayed in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Noon is especially familiar today. During the Easter season, Catholic custom traditionally replaces the Angelus with the Regina Caeli.
Meaning
What the words mean
Its three verses move through the Annunciation, Mary's response and the declaration that the Word became flesh. The final prayer connects Christ's Incarnation with His Passion, Cross and Resurrection.
History
Where this prayer comes from
The Angelus developed gradually in medieval Catholic devotion from practices of ringing church bells and reciting prayers in honour of the Incarnation. Morning, noon and evening observance developed over time rather than appearing all at once in a single moment.
Scripture
Biblical connections
Luke 1:26–38
The first two Angelus verses recall Gabriel's announcement to Mary and Mary's response to God's call.
John 1:14
The third verse echoes the Gospel proclamation that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Catholic teaching
Catechism connections
CCC 484–486
The Catechism explains the Annunciation and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Incarnation of the Son of God.
CCC 2673–2679
The Catechism explains Marian prayer as prayer centred on Christ and involving Mary's intercession.
Understand
Common questions
What time should Catholics pray the Angelus?
Traditionally it is prayed in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Many Catholics today particularly associate it with noon.
Why does the Angelus contain three Hail Marys?
Each Hail Mary follows a verse recalling a key moment in the mystery of the Incarnation.
Is the Angelus a prayer to Mary or to God?
It includes requests for Mary's intercession, but the devotion as a whole meditates on Christ's Incarnation and ends with a prayer addressed directly to God.
What replaces the Angelus during Easter?
Catholic tradition uses the Regina Caeli during the Easter season, turning from the Annunciation toward the joy of Christ's Resurrection.
Continue praying
Related prayers
Keep exploring