The Annunciation, the moment of the Fiat

The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) is the founding moment of all Mariology: the Angel Gabriel goes to Nazareth, greets Mary as “full of grace,” announces to her that she will conceive the Son of the Most High, and Mary responds with the Fiat: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

The greeting of the angel

The “Hail, full of grace” (Kecharitomene in Greek) is a verbal form unique in the New Testament: it indicates that Mary was favored with grace in a perfect and permanent way. The Catholic Church sees here the biblical foundation of the Immaculate Conception: Mary was “full of grace” from the first moment of her existence.

The dialogue with the angel

Mary does not accept passively: she questions, she asks for clarification (“How can this be, since I do not know man?”), and only after the Angel’s clarification about the action of the Holy Spirit does she give her consent. This dialogue reveals Mary’s faith as an adult and responsible faith, not naivety.

Soteriological meaning

John Paul II, in the encyclical Redemptoris Mater, underscored that Mary’s Fiat is the response for which all humanity was waiting. With her “yes,” Mary represents the people of Israel and all humanity that welcomes the salvation offered by God. The Annunciation is the beginning of the new creation.

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Magisterium of the Church

Ave, gratia plena. Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus.

Luke 1:28 (Clementine Vulgate)

📚 Literal translation: Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.

Hæc Dei Mater erat necessario futura, nisi ab origine quoque omni originalis culpae labe mundata.

S. Pius X, Enc. Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum (2 februarii 1904)

📚 Literal translation: She who was to be the Mother of God had necessarily to be the one who from her very origin was cleansed of every stain of original guilt.