Do you perhaps recognize this picture?

It’s a famous painting about a famous prayer: the Angelus! In this 19th century work by the French painter Jean-Francois Millet, a farming couple prays the Angelus at dusk. This prayer is well suited to the artist’s subject matter: two humble people paying homage to our Lord and His Blessed Mother in the Hail Mary, as well as in Gospel verses recalling His Incarnation as the Word entered the World. It’s name comes from its opening words in Latin, “Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.”

The 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 you
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus
Holy Mary, mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.

Hail Mary, full of Grace
The lord is with you
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus
Holy Mary, mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death

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

Hail Mary, full of Grace
The lord is with you
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus
Holy Mary, mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death

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 You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we to whom the incarnation of Christ,
your Son was made known by the message of an angel,
and may we by His passion and cross
be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen.