When Mary Said ‘Yes

To the Editor:

If we Catholics truly believe life begins in the womb, then Christianity arguably began when Mary said “yes” at the Annunciation.

It’s no coincidence that this event is celebrated nine months before Christmas (and three months minus a day before the Feast of St. John the Baptist). The symbolism is intentional and focuses on the beauty and difficulties of Mary’s pregnancy, not unlike that of all mothers with child.

In 2012, the Annunciation fell on a Sunday in Lent. Surprisingly, this significant event in the history of the Church was bumped to the next day, Monday. Given there would be no Lenten season had it not been for Mary’s obedience to God the Father and submission to the Holy Spirit, in some ways this seemed almost an act of disrespect to Mary, women in general, and the unborn in particular. 

If the Catholic Church is sincere in its efforts to end abortion, and recognize the value and existence of life in the womb, the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, should be a Holy Day of Obligation. 

The thought of another Holy Day of Obligation, in all likelihood, brings a collective groan from the faithful. However, relative to other Marian feast days, is there really any more important (maybe the Immaculate Conception)?

Suggestion: The Feasts of the Assumption and Solemnity of Mary are Holy Days of Obligation, yet poorly attended. Even the available Mass schedules for those days are slim, sending a subliminal message they’re not quite as important as Sunday Mass. Mother Church should make the two feasts optional in lieu of an obligation, and give the Annunciation, and the unborn, their just due as a true Holy Day of Obligation.

Thomas G. Ferrara

Pound Ridge