The Angelus
Traditional Catholic Prayer
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.
In Latin
V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae.
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
V. Ecce ancilla Domini.
R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
V. Et Verbum caro factum est.
R. Et habitavit in nobis.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus.
Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem eius et crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
About this prayer
The Angelus is a traditional Catholic devotion centered on the mystery of the Incarnation: the moment the eternal Son of God took on human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Its three short exchanges trace the story of the Annunciation. The angel announces God’s plan, Mary gives her faithful response, and the Word becomes flesh. Each exchange is followed by a Hail Mary, giving us time to reflect on what God accomplished through Mary’s willing yes.
The Angelus is not simply a Marian prayer. Its focus is ultimately Jesus Christ and the mystery of God entering human history. Mary’s response shows us what it looks like to receive God’s will with faith, even before we can see where it will lead.
Scripture to pray with
- Luke 1:26-38 – Gabriel announces that Mary will conceive Jesus, and Mary responds in faith to God’s invitation.
- John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh,” the mystery at the heart of the Angelus.
- Luke 1:38 – Mary’s response, “May it be done to me according to your word,” becomes a model of surrender to God.
When to pray it
The Angelus is traditionally prayed three times a day: in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Church bells historically marked these moments, inviting people to stop whatever they were doing and remember the Incarnation.
You do not need to follow an exact schedule to begin praying it. Even choosing one consistent time each day can create a small pause in ordinary life to remember that God entered our world and remains present within it.