Roman Catholics will commemorate the Solemnity of the Annunciation on Saturday, March 25.

The solemnity marks the “annunciation” by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she “will be the mother of God” (Luke 1:26-38) and her complete submission to God’s holy plan.

Mary’s reply was “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her.(Luke 1:26-38).

The Archangel Gabriel's greeting to Mary forms the first part of the prayer, Hail Mary, while Mary's response to the archangel forms the second versicle and response of the Angelus prayer.

According to the Gospel of Luke 1:25, the Annunciation took place on the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with St. John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ.

In commemoration of the feast, Church leaders encourage the faithful to pray the Holy Rosary and the Angelus, as well as to reflect on the Magnificat, and to offer sacrifices for all the unborn children.

The Feast of the Annunciation reminds the faithful of Christ’s Incarnation or the instance God became man.

Church officials said, “Christ’s Incarnation was fully accomplished not during His revelation to the world at His birth or during His adulthood but at the time when the ‘Word’ was made flesh at His conception in Mary’s womb.”

Meanwhile, commemorative masses will be celebrated at the Annunciation Parish in General Trias, Cavite on March 25. The 16th parish fiesta was held last March 22 with a concelebrated mass led by Bishop Emeritus Pedro Arigo.