Pondering the Angelus

Today's feast of Our Lady of Sorrows puts a poignant spin on our praying of the Angelus. It is clearer today that Gabriel's words ("The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father") do not presage an untroubled life and an easy victory for the one whom Mary will conceive and bear.

The image this week, in keeping with the feast, is not that of the Annunciation itself, but of the moment when Gabriel's message was made known to the wider world: the Nativity. The shadow of the Cross stands ready to receive Mary's child when the Hour comes. The depiction is by German priest and artist, Sieger Köder, well known for "hiding" images in his images. In this Nativity, look for the inscription INRI, which Pontius Pilate will order placed on his Cross: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

In the Angelus today, pray for parents who must witness the terrible sufferings of their children, especially in situations of war.

Posters, cards and meditation books on the art of Sieger Köder are available from Pauline Books & Media, UK.

Pondering the Angelus

The opening scene of the Angelus prayer is perhaps the Bible scene most frequently depicted in art, even more frequently than the Crucifixion. This stunning array of perspectives may help us to renew the powerful tradition of pausing three times a day to recall those central words of the Creed: "For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man."

The Angelus Project looks forward now to featuring a different Annunciation scene every week, at times with a brief reflection on the work. We start with the Bouts Annunciation, from the J. Paul Getty Museum, as appreciated by Bill Viola: "It speaks to me..."

Dieric Bouts (Netherlandish, about 1415 - 1475)
The Annunciation, about 1450 - 1455
Distemper on linen, Unframed: 90 x 74.5 cm (35 7/16 x 29 3/8 in.)
Framed: 100.3 x 85.6 x 6.7 cm (39 1/2 x 33 11/16 x 2 5/8 in.)
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The Spirituality of the Angelus

Special thanks to Billy Kangas over at Patheos Catholic Channel for highlighting a medieval approach to the Annunciation narrative that serves as a guide in a solid spiritual life.

Veneziano, The Annunication; J. Paul Getty Museum 

From the editor: 
I have been making an effort lately to collect images of the Annunciation wherever I go (online or in person); I hope to begin soon to feature a different Annunciation every week as part of an ongoing mission of promoting the prayer of the Angelus. Check back soon!