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As the days of spring get longer and warmer, I am finally able to venture out from the skyways and head out into the fresh air to walk outside. On especially lucky days, I am able to head out in the early evening to hear our bell tower ringing the 6:00 pm Angelus bell.

The Angelus is a centuries-old prayer of the Church which commemorates the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she would be the mother of the world’s Savior. The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25, but this year, because it falls on a Sunday, the feast is transferred to Monday, March 26.

Traditionally, the Angelus bell rings at 6:00 in the morning, at noon and at 6:00 in the evening, and is a call for those who hear to recall the gift of the salvation that we received through the birth of Jesus. At St. Olaf, our bell rings to announce the beginning of Mass at 7:00 am, 12 noon and 5:15 pm. Then at 6:00 pm, the bell tower peals the Angelus. The ring consists of three tolls, repeated three times with a pause between each set of three, and concludes with a longer peal at the end. The bell rings to the outside world inviting all those who hear to stop what they are doing for a moment to consider the awesome gift of the incarnation.

The prayer gets its name from the first phrase of the prayer in Latin: “Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae” (the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary). Like so many prayers, the beauty of the prayer is the simplicity that portrays great profundity. It is a simple prayer that reminds us throughout the day to remember Jesus and how our life has meaning because of the incarnation. Whether we are having a good day or not so good day, we are to recall that because of Jesus, we are strengthened in faith, hope and love.

The ringing of our bell tower is yet another way that St. Olaf achieves its mission to “serve as a living sign of Christ’s saving presence in the heart of the city.” So next time you are downtown in the evening and hear the bells ring the Angelus, take a moment to stop and give thanks for the gift of salvation we receive through Jesus.

The Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
and she conceived by 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.

Behold the Handmaid of the LORD:
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the WORD was made flesh,
and dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
Thy grace into our hearts,
that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son,
was made know 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.