As per Canon Law 1251, fasting and abstinence from meat observed by Roman Catholics on all Fridays of Lent is temporarily lifted on Friday, March 25, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.

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Fasting and abstinence are traditionally observed on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent unless a solemnity falls on a Friday, the Episcopal Conference said.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation commemorates the revelation 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 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 held at the Annunciation Parish in General Trias, Cavite on March 25. The grand parish mobile procession was held last March 20. A caracol was held on March 22 to mark the 15th parish fiesta. A concelebrated mass led by Bishop Emeritus Pedro Arigo was also held.

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