PLEASE NOTE: IN
2022 THERE ARE FAR MORE MARCH 25TH PUBLIC EVENTS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED HERE DUE
TO POPE FRANCIS MAKING THE CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO THE IHM ON
THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION--A HOLY DAY ALSO IMPORTANT IN THE ORTHODOX
CHURCHES--WHICH POPE JOHN PAUL II CHOSE FOR HIS 1984 CONSECRATION AS WELL. These may not specifically be Day of the
Unborn Child events, but many may be combined in intent as the pro-life events
were already planned for March 25th before the consecration by Pope Francis was
announced -- scroll down or click this link to skip
to the State Listing for a partial selection of events -- International
including Australia is at the end of the U.S. list. There is likely an event closer to you not on the list, so consult
local Catholic diocese websites as event details are still being finalized--many
bishops (perhaps most by now) are participating locally and inviting the public
to attend masses and prayer services on the day or the very hour the
consecration will take place -- 5 p.m. Rome time which is 12 noon eastern time. EWTN WILL ALSO HAVE COVERAGE OF THE
CONSECRATION LIFE AND SPECIAL ANNUNCIATION PROGRAMMING -- see the homepage of
this site and for the most up-to-date info visit the links to EWTN' s program
schedule below.
[PLEASE NOTE: FOR THOSE STILL UNDER PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, A VARIETY OF AT-HOME ALTERNATE "VIRTUAL" OBSERVANCES ARE LISTED BELOW AS WELL AS FAMILY ACTIVITIES ON THE IDEAS PAGE -- EWTN HAS ADDITIONAL ANNUNCIATION PROGRAMMING FOR POPE FRANCIS' CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY -- PLEASE SEE THE HOME PAGE NOTATIONS IN BOLD FOR DETAILS AND THE ALTERNATE ACTIVITIES IF THERE IS NO IN-PERSON EVENT NEAR YOU.]
EWTN's Annunciation Novena Online & Broadcast Events -- For
2022 EWTN highlights the special Annunciation Day events and coverage of the
Holy Father's Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary -- beginning March 24, with live coverage of the event on March 25th,
re-airing the 26th--see this site's home page for current planned coverage and
the link to EWTN's program schedule for the latest updates. EWTN's ANNUAL ANNUNCIATION CELEBRATION
includes a suggested Annunciation prayer to be said each of nine consecutive
days can be found here
or at https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Novena/annovena.htm). Begin or end the Novena on March 25 or the
transfer date.
EWTN's
TV broadcast
often includes taped specials on the meaning of the Annnunciation and/or the
Holy Land Solemn Mass of the Annunciation from Nazareth (last minute
additions/changes may be made to the EWTN listings) -- you can also use these links to Watch OnLine and check the updated
schedule
(click on their program names to get re-air times) -- or go to their online schedule and use the find command on
your phone/computer to search the term ANNUNCIATION -- times given in ET. EWTN' annual Annunciation programming usually includes:-- Mass of the
Annunciation of the Lord with MFVA--"The Franciscan Missionaries of the
Eternal Word celebrate the Mass of the Solemn Feast of the Annunciation live
from Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondale, AL." (PLEASE NOTE: Your cable equipment
may allow you to search for special Annunciation programming -- just click the
search button, or use your remote's arrow to move to it and ENTER -- then use
your remote to type/choose the letters ANNUNCIATION in the search box).
For denominations that have church services 7-days-a-week: Attend
regular daily church service on the day (or the day to which it is moved
in years in which it is transferred).
Look up phone numbers and websites of local churches named after the
Annunciation you may be able to attend as a mini-pilgrimage -- they may have
special events planned -- use an on-line yellow pages and enter your location, and
in the search box type: Annunciation
There may be ongoing pro-life activities in which you can take
part on March 25th -- for example, the day usually falls within or near the end
of the annual spring campaign of 40 Days For Life which has
prayer vigils all across the U.S. and in other countries as well (click
here for more info
or for a direct link to locations click
here).
If you would like to attend a Day of the Unborn
Child mass but are unable or cannot find one locally, March 25th is a perfect
time to sign up to be counted among participants in the Priests For Life
"Celebrate the Annunciation!" prayer campaign -- visit
the webpage here to read the "Redeemer in the Womb" prayer (there
is also a contact link to let PFL know you will pray it regularly) -- PFL may
as in past years offer 9-month Annunciation-to-Christmas programs to follow and
learn the stages of prenatal life and underscore the March 25/December 25
connection -- its past programs like BabyChris.org can also enhance a local
Spiritual Adoption program allowing you to pray periodically over nine months
for a vulnerable child as you follow the stages of development online. Also, as the feast draws near the American Life League home page often invites prayer
intentions for their pro-life Annunciation mass -- they also
offer an overview of
the Biblical account of the Annunciation and ideas for home, school and parish
based celebrations -- for the latest on ALL's Annunciation Mass prayer
intentions enter Annunciation in their website search box or click here for
ALL Annunciation articles.
[Locations/Churches that usually have an Annunciation or Day of the Unborn Child event but have not publicized details for the current year may also have a website or contact information listed -- please visit site or call the parish, council, etc. for up-to-date info.]
Please
note that the list below includes both Day of the Unborn Child events,
general pro-life events, and those that celebrate the Annunciation only, as
well as those that combine these elements.
In 2022 most events focus on the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to
the IHM since Pope Francis has chosen to make the consecration intentionally on
the Feast of the Annunciation. Not all
Annunciation themed events are explicitly pro-life -- note the name of the
event and description -- but they are implicitly pro-life by virtue of what is
being celebrated -- you may always offer your personal pro-life
intentions. The event listing is a free
service for those seeking events to attend--inclusion does not imply
affiliation or endorsement in either direction and print materials offered via
this site may not be available at the events listed below (for a complimentary
prayer card, contact
the webmaster directly).
HANCEVILLE
SEE NOTE ABOVE ON SPECIAL 2022 EWTN PROGRAMMING FOR THE 2022 CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE WHICH MAY ALTER THE USUAL CELEBRATION OF MASSES AT EWTN OR THE SHRINE.
Usually 7 a.m. -- Conventual Mass w/ the Nuns, Main Church, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The beautiful and impressive shrine regularly seen on the EWTN television network offers Annunciation masses. It is located at 3222 County Rd. 548, Hanceville, AL 35077. Phone: 205-795-5717
Click here for
the shrine's events page, or here to go directly to their Annunciation event page --
Watch EWTN for broadcast and replays throughout the day.
"Feast
of The Annunciation -- the patronal Feast Day for the town and university -- is
always a big event in Ave Maria."
For more details see their Annunciation event listing and the general
events at the aveherald.com home page as
well as the Ave
Maria University website events listing. Also click on the bulletin
link for the week of the Annunciation at the Oratory/Quasi-Parish at this link..
Venice has
a tradition of celebrating the Annunciation with special pro-life masses, and
in 2022 the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice Florida the Most. Rev. Frank Dewane
to pray the prayer of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the IHM at the same
time as Pope Francis in Rome on March 25th, noon eastern time at Epiphany
Cathedral followed by Mass for the feast of the Annunciation. To view the live streamed mass, visit the
diocesan Facebook
page -- also see the diocesan website here for
news and updates and check the calendar
here for events/masses.
PEORIA
Peoria has a tradition of having special pro-life/family
events for March 25th. Contact the
Peoria Diocese and their Respect Life office for any special events for the
Annunciation. You can also
visit the Peoria diocese Respect Life website here and
check the calendar
here -- additional information may be posted at their blog site
and categorized in its Upcoming Events, Update, and Respect Life Celebration
links, or at its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
March 25, Fri. 12:10 p.m. -- Mass for the Unborn Child -- Followed by Rosary for Life -- "With the Holy Mass Intention: For a Conversion of Hearts that Will End Abortion" -- "A 9 Month Novena of Masses for the Unborn will Continue March -- December." Address: Saint Mary of the Assumption Dedham, 420 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026
March 25th 2022 -- Bishop Fisher accepts Pope Francis' invitation to bishops across the world to join in an act of consecration on Friday, March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. Bishop Fisher will be celebrating at the 12:10 p.m. mass at St. Joseph Cathedral on Friday to allow for participation in this consecration. Any and all faithful are welcomed to join. The diocese FB page also states: "Parishes may also wish to offer Masses, holy hours, or rosaries during this time to pray for Ukraine and the conflict with Russia as we call upon the Lord for peace. Since the Annunciation is a day when fasting is relaxed, it may also be a worthy act to offer a fast for Ukraine on this day, similar to the one suggested on Ash Wednesday. There will also be a Stations of the Cross at 6:30 pm at the Cathedral."
(Other
events: Click here for Yearly Events and scroll down to the month of
March for more.) A special Day of the
Unborn Mass is often scheduled at St. Aloysius Gonzaga church on or near the March
25th Annunciation feast date -- as it may be days before the 25th, contact the
parish early or Knights of Columbus Bishop Benincasa Council #10868 to get
current info)
March 25, 2022 -- PRO-LIFE DAY OF THE UNBORN/ANNUNCIATION ROSARY WILL BE PRAYED AT BOTH ST. MARY OF THE CATARACT CHURCH, AND LATER AT DIVINE MERCY CHURCH. NOTE THAT ST. MARY'S ROSARY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE TIME OF POPE FRANCIS' CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO MARY'S IMMACULATE HEART. Rosary at St. Mary will begin at 11:45 a.m. March 25 and end just before the 12:10 p.m. feast of the Annunciation Mass -- Address: St. Mary of the Cataract Church -- 241 4th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303. The Rosary at Divine Mercy Church will begin at 5:30 p.m. ending just before the Friday evening 6:00 pm Stations of the Cross -- Address: Divine Mercy Church -- 335 24th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303-1925. NOTE: If you cannot join in person, please pray wherever you are on March 25th. This feast date set nine months before Christmas reminds us that the Annunciation celebrates Christ's conception. It is a day to pray for renewed reverence for the Incarnation and respect for the sanctity of human life.
March 25th, 2022 -- [Registration Required] International
Gift of Life Walk - NYC -- New York City (6th annual). Main event rally begins at 11 am. For more info visit the website, or the
Facebook page -- Annual event.
March 25
-- DIOCESAN MASS FOR LIFE, MARCH 25TH, 7 PM, HOLY ROSARY CHURCH.
"Please
join us for a Diocesan Mass for Life on the Feast of the Annunciation of Our
Lord on Friday, March 25 at 7 PM at Holy Rosary Church, 4851 Park Avenue,
Memphis. Bishop David Talley will be
the celebrant, along with priests throughout the Catholic Diocese of Memphis as
concelebrants. Sponsored by the Respect
Life Committee, Holy Rosary Church.
Sponsored by the Respect Life Committee, Holy Rosary Church. The 27th anniversary of the papal encyclical
'Evangelium Vitae,' means 'The Gospel of Life,' and was promulgated on March
25, 1995 by Pope John Paul II. The
document was written to reiterate the view of the Roman Catholic Church on the
value of life and to warn against violating the sanctity of life."
(Events publicized
well in advance are more likely to be included in the listing. For late additions also visit facebook.com/AnnunciationDayMarch25 just before the day.)
Help us build our listings by submitting info on upcoming
March Day of the Unborn Child or Feast of the Annunciation
events. Contact us
with as many details as possible: the
name of the event, date, place, time, phone or website (if applicable).
Note: Spanish speaking countries often have multiple large-scale nationwide pro-life events centered on the March 25th feast -- to find events in one of these nations as the day approaches visit pro-life websites for that country, many of which are included on our Recent Developments page -- or see http://veladas25.org and http://sialavida25m.org for more information. (The Google search engine site's language tools link can be used to produce an English translation of websites in other languages). Also, the internationally known Annunciation shrines/churches of Walsingham England, Loreto Italy, and the actual site of the Annunciation/Incarnation at Nazareth's Annunciation basilica offer the ultimate opportunity to make your own event with an actual pilgrimage (and for those who cannot visit in person, virtual tours, and armchair pilgrimages can also be made via home video and at various sites on-line -- for live webcam virtual pilgrimage to Annunciation basilica see Nazareth section under Israel/Holy Land below.)
NOTE: For liturgical and other reasons, events may take place several days before or after March 25. (In Australia the date may be up to a week earlier so check well in advance). If the date is other than the 25th, it will be noted in the listings. Since information comes from a variety of sources, you may want to call the church/venue to confirm. If a location is listed with no event, it means one was held there in recent years -- see the past events archive to find the church or organization to contact for any current events.
For Info on events in Argentina, where the Day of the Unborn
Child originated, please visit click here
For a
cradio.org.au interview on the importance of this day in Australia click here
Sat. March 26th -- Mary Immaculate Church Annerley -- Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary -- Sat. Mar.26, 2:00 AM (early morning to take place at the same time Pope Francis makes the consecration in Rome) -- includes The Litany of Loreto, Prayer of Consecration, Rosary of Thanksgiving. Later at 8:00 AM there will be a Rosary, Holy Mass, and the Prayer of Consecration. Address: 616 Ipswich, Annerley QLD 4103 Australia -- +61 7 3848 1107
Click here to check for
current info.
Click here
or see the page for East Perth's Pregnancy
Assistance for events at St. Mary's Cathedral.
Sat. Mar. 26 -- St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney -- 3:00 AM (early morning to coincide with Pope Francis making the consecration in Rome, with doors open at 2:30) -- Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. "I invite you to all join with me at this time and to unite ourselves in prayer for peace in our world" -- Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP -- for more see SYDNEYCATHOLIC.ORG.
NOTE: The Consecration events may be replace the usual of
events for the Annunciation.
Please note the usual events (prior to the pandemic and 2022 consecration events) are at the times below: Day of the Unborn Child mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, then Angelus, procession, benediction and related events are often celebrated several days early -- visit lifeandfamily.com.au -- Click here for more info. Program usually includes: Morning Solemn Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral; 12 pm Angelus on Cathedral Forecourt followed by Procession; 1:30 pm Benediction Inside the Cathedral.
(Note the stained glass window of the Annunciation inside St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney)
Contact St. Mary's Cathedral and/or visit their website page here for more info (including flyer) on their Annunciation Day of the Unborn Child events. For more information on their Annunciation schedule see their events calendar HERE -- and click the date.
[EWTN also airs a mass from Nazareth -- March 25, 2022
3:00 am (morning) eastern time]
The ultimate special event to celebrate the feast day is a pilgrimage to the Annunciation church/basilica in Nazareth, where an inscription inside states "The Word was made flesh here." Virtual pilgrimages can be made via the live feed from the site of the Annunciation in Nazareth at the grotto -- it creates a lovely visual background for prayer and/or contemplation on Christ's conception -- to be able to see in real time the place where the Word became flesh, and pilgrims coming to visit this hallowed Holy Land site at the Church of the Annunciation. (For group prayer use a device with a large screen). The live feed is viewable 15 hours a day at https://www.cmc-terrasanta.com/en/event/live-from-the-grotto-of-the-annunciation-in-nazareth/369 -- in EST the times are 11 pm through 2 pm the next day (please note the live feed is often on 24/7 but light levels may be too low to see anything but candlelight). If you are interested in traveling to the Holy Land, click here for information on in-person pilgrimages to Nazareth's Annunciation church, and www.cicts.org gives information on events/Masses for the Annunciation at the basilica in Nazareth as the day approaches. Click here to visit the official site of the basilica, and here for the webpage featuring a video on the new pilgrim's tour that combines the basilica with the archaeological site (click the four-arrows box in the lower right YouTube screen for full size image). A mini photo slide show from the archaeological museum can be viewed here. There is also an informative ChristianNewsToday article on how the Annunciation feast is celebrated in Nazareth ("Nazareth During the Feast of the Annunciation" by Nicole Jansezian for travelujah.com) available here -- events include a special Mass, a traditional parade, and guided tours by the Nazareth Cultural and Tourism Association highlight Mary's Well Square, the Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church, Pilgrims' Route, the House of Culture and Art, Alleys of the Old City, and the Basilica of the Annunciation. For a site that includes one pilgrim's insights on the import of the March 25th feast inspired simply from driving by the Annunciation basilica, click here.
Consider a virtual pilgrimage to The Holy House of Loreto in Loreto Italy, also known as the Santa Casa di Loreto, long visited as an Annunciation pilgrimage site. According to tradition, the actual house in Nazareth where the Annunciation/Incarnation took place was moved to Loreto. A basilica was built at the site--Basilica of the Holy House (Basilica della Santa Casa)--click here for the official website. A pictorial tour of the Holy House can be found here. Click here for more information on pilgrimages to Loreto, including the "armchair" pilgrimage video that aired on EWTN hosted by Bob and Penny Lord available here. Other video pilgrimages available include two from EWTN's Religious Catalogue--"Loreto: The Mystery of the Holy House" (click here for info on this item # 20445) and also "Forgotten Heritage: Europe and Our Lady" (click here for item # HDFH2) which is a combined set that features Loreto among other important locations including the Annunciation-themed pilgrimage site of Walsingham in England. Videos such as these can be shown for church groups, family gatherings, and individuals if an actual pilgrimage isn't possible. You can also take virtual on-line tours and view website pictorials of Loreto.
For information on events click the following link and contact the organization. The bottom of their English translation page notes that in 1999 "The Polish Association for Human Life Protection was registered on the 25th March" -- 25 marzec.
For the most current info visit http://blog.sanandresarrixaca.es/ that includes an an entry on the day's significance as well as links to the materials below -- and also check the websites at and http://veladas25.org/ for and http://sialavida25m.org/ for more information.
Virtual Visit or Pilgrimage: Given the nearly one-thousand year history of Walsingham as an Annunciation pilgrimage center, consider honoring the day with a visit to one of its shrines--click here for more info on both the Anglican and Catholic shrines of "Walsingham--England's Nazareth". Consult the shrines’ events and calendar pages for current schedules. If an actual pilgrimage isn't possible, consider an armchair pilgrimage via virtual on-line tours and pictorials. In 2017 Catholic television network EWTN launched its first U.K. studio here -- located north of London at the Village of Walsingham in a three-story building named "Annunciation House," it includes a visitors' center and reception area -- click here for an article that notes the link between the Annunciation and EWTN via Walsingham (additional info on the studio can be found here). For general Walsingham info, click here for travel/tour information including a map. More info on visiting Walsingham including photos can be found here--(pause cursor over picture to get a caption). Click here for additional tour/pilgrimage information and then scroll down for a mini photo tour. An informative article on Walsingham ("Walsingham: England's Holiest Shrine" by John P. Seely) with pictures can be found here. EWTN Religious Catalogue (1-800-854-6316) offers a video pilgrimage that combines Walsingham with other significant locations including the Annunciation-themed site of Loreto--"Forgotten Heritage: Europe and Our Lady" (click here for the combined set item # HDFH2). Also available from EWTN on DVD is a beautiful historical and visual tour of "Walsingham: England's Nazareth" (alternately titled "Walsingham: England's National Shrine Of Our Lady" or simply "The Story of Walsingham") hosted by Joanna Bogle (click here for info): In this special Fr. Noel Wynn (director of the Catholic shrine) is interviewed at the Slipper Chapel. Asked by the host if Walsingham is indeed finding its place once again in the 21st century, he replies: "I think perhaps more so than ever. The message of Walsingham is the message of the Incarnation." Another distributor offers an equally lovely video that can serve as a virtual pilgrimage for church groups, family gatherings and individuals that includes more details on the history of Walsingham as dedicated to The Annunciation -- Part 3 of the 4 part series The White Dove of Peace (click here for availability) which aired on EWTN in 2008: Part 3 of the documentary begins with modern-day pilgrims gathered to pray the Angelus near Walsingham on the millennium Feast of the Incarnation, with the following voiceover: "March the 25th 2000, was the two-thousandth anniversary of the Incarnation--the miracle of God coming down from Heaven and making his home with human beings. The simple house at Nazareth and the room where Mary heard the angel's message and where her son was conceived, have long since vanished from Palestine, but in the Middle Ages a replica of it, which was built near here, brought innumerable pilgrims to this place to venerate Mary and to ponder the mystery of the Incarnation." Later on in the program the narration continues: "The message of Walsingham therefore--is the Annunciation"--"By divine providence, Walsingham was destined to become a reminder of Nazareth, in the heart of the English countryside. It is evidence that England had a unique part to play in the purposes of God." For a website featuring an article that addresses the pro-life import of the Annunciation and Walsingham ("The Virgin of Walsingham" by Father James T. Moore, Pastor, Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church, & Past President, Texas Catholic Historical Society) click here. A book entitled "Walsingham: Pilgrims and Pilgrimage" by Michael Rear is published by St Paul Publishing, London 2011.
[Feel free to use the sample posting below in years when the Annunciation is transferred]
What To Do In "Transfer" Years When
Annunciation Celebrations Are Moved? -- Treat The Interval As A Mini
Season: When Holy Week conflicts result
in Annunciation and Day of the Unborn Child events being transferred from the
usual feast date of March 25th (nine months before Christmas) to another day in
March or even early April, it is easy to view the rescheduling as an
unfortunate compromise. Yes, it is
easier to point out the feast as marking Christ's conception when it's a neat
nine months before Christmas, but even if delayed till the second week of April
it's still an approximate pregnancy-length interval, and the best thing we can
do in such years is to use the time in a positive way that promotes the
celebration of the feast. Treat the
interval between the traditional and transferred date as a mini season -- a
time to prepare. Christmas and Easter
have long preparatory seasons of Advent and Lent for prayer and preparation, as
well as multi-day activities associated with them. But Annunciation as a one-day event often catches us unaware with
no cultural cues to help us prepare. We
can use the interval between the traditional Annunciation date and its
celebration date in "transfer" years as an extended time to prepare,
pray, meditate, and have multi-day activities to maximize the impact of this
central holy day. For example:
Individuals might say an opening prayer of gratitude for the Incarnation on
March 25th and use the days before a delayed celebration to pray and reflect on
Christ's prenatal life from the moment of conception. Families can gather the materials to make Annunciation cards or
cut-out-cookies on March 25, and use the days before the celebration to make,
decorate, and send them. Churches,
schools, and organizations can have multi-day drives to collect baby items, or
fill baby bottles with spare change to donate to local pregnancy-centers --
initiatives that are more effective with a longer period to drop off items and
have the added benefit of focusing attention on the feast. For example, prominently displaying a large
decorated collection box throughout the interval with a large-print sign noting
the drive's start/end dates and their significance gives people more
opportunity to donate and to learn about the Annunciation. Perhaps the simplest way for churches to use
the time is to publish daily reminders of Annunciation events and reflections
in-print or on-line -- the church bulletin on or before March 25 can note the
two days and ask parishioners to pray for a specific intention each day of the
interval -- blogs and social media can reinforce the feast's Incarnational and
pro-life import with a posting for each day.
Whether we like the practice of transferring the Annunciation, or would
prefer the Greek Orthodox approach of combined feast days that keep it on March
25, if we focus on the positive we'll see a wider window -- instead of having
one day to raise awareness, you have several, and in some years as much as two
weeks. Just use these preparatory days
to pray, meditate, and educate.
[To
return to home page click http://dayoftheunbornchild.com/ ]
[page updated 3/25/2022]