Respect Life Ministry offers resources to celebrate Solemnity of the Annunciation

The Diocese of Trenton’s Respect Life Ministry is once again offering a wide variety of prayers and resources for home and parish use to aid faithful in their celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation, celebrated by the Church on March 25.

The Annunciation, occurring nine months before the Nativity of Our Lord, marks the day when the Archangel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to share God’s will that she was to become the Mother of His only Son. Mary’s assent and declaration, “May it be done to me according to your Word (Luke 1:38),” heralded the Birth of Jesus our Savior.

Rachel Hendricks, diocesan coordinator for Respect Life Ministries, issued an invitation to those preparing for the solemnity and seeking new ways to deepen their faith.

“As a People of Life, this day serves as a kind of oasis during the penitential season of Lent,” she declared, “drawing our attention to both Mary’s courageous ‘Yes’ to the Angel Gabriel, and to that precise moment of the Incarnation of our Lord, that moment when the Word became flesh.”

Faithful are encouraged to pray using an Annunciation Novena and Reflection video series to be posted on the diocesan Facebook page each day at noon from March 17 to 25. Each day of the Novena includes the praying of the Angelus prayer and reflections from different guests from around the Diocese. Other diverse resources, available in English and Spanish, may be found on the department’s website, dioceseoftrenton.org/respect-life-ministry, and include thoughts for teaching and preaching about the solemnity; ways to celebrate in the home and at the parish; and prayers for expectant couples and those hoping to conceive or adopt a child.

Young Adult Conference

Continued from 30 celebrated by Father Colavito.

“Similar to how the Apostles saw the Transfiguration event, when we receive the Eucharist, we become transformed spiritually as well. If we truly knew what the Eucharist was, we would all be trembling,” Father Colavito noted in his homily.

“What we receive on Sunday should transform us at work or in school on Monday, and of course the rest of the week,” he said.

Joe Ferrarelli, 31, of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, who attended with his wife, said Ford’s talk resonated with him, especially when Ford said, “We’re called to not like people, but to love them. With so much going on with the world, he assured us God is in control.”

Amanda Kleinmann, 28, of St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills, said she “didn’t have any expectations coming in, but I did learn a lot. The breakout talk by Father Colavito was something I definitely needed. He explained the Eucharist from the perspective of being a priest at the altar, and the seriousness of it. He taught me how to be in the moment, instead of going through the motions at Mass, which happens to me often.”

Father Rick Osborn, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, who assisted with hearing Confessions and Eucharistic Adoration, said, “It’s always a privilege to hear Confessions and [administer] the Sacraments, but especially today with helping young people in their faith, as many are first starting their faith lives. It’s always a great joy.”