The Angelus recalls the moment the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive the Son of God, and her yes that let the Word become flesh. It is traditionally prayed at six in the morning, at noon and at six in the evening, when church bells ring for it, so that three times a day the ordinary business of life stops for a minute before the mystery of the Incarnation. Saint Paul VI, in Marialis Cultus, praised its simple structure, its biblical character and its rhythm of sanctifying the day, and every Pope since has prayed it publicly with pilgrims on Sundays.

What you need

• One minute, three times a day
• The text until you know it by heart — it is short
• Optionally the bell: many Catholics set an alarm for noon

When to pray it

At six in the morning, noon and six in the evening, or as near as your day allows. From Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday the Regina Caeli is prayed instead, standing.

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Stop at the hour and make the Sign of the Cross

   When the bell rings or the clock reaches six, noon or six, pause whatever you are doing. Stand, recollect yourself for a moment, and make the Sign of the Cross▾. If you are praying with others, one person leads each versicle (V.) and everyone answers with the response (R.).

2. 2

   Step 2: The first versicle and a Hail Mary

   V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Then all pray the Hail Mary▾ together. Let the first line rest for a moment in your mind: the announcement of Gabriel, and the Spirit overshadowing the Virgin.

3. 3

   Step 3: The second versicle and a Hail Mary

   V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Then pray the Hail Mary▾. These are Mary's own words from Luke 1:38, and praying them is a way of making her consent your own for the rest of the day.

4. 4

   Step 4: The third versicle, with a bow or genuflection, and a Hail Mary

   V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. It is customary to bow the head or to genuflect at these words, taken from John 1:14, as we do at the same words in the Creed on Christmas Day and the Annunciation. Then pray the Hail Mary▾.

5. 5

   Step 5: The closing versicle and collect

   V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known 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. R. Amen. End with the Sign of the Cross▾.

6. 6

   Step 6: In Eastertide, pray the Regina Caeli instead

   From Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday the Angelus▾ gives way to the Regina Caeli▾, prayed standing as a sign of the Resurrection: 'Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For he whom you did merit to bear, alleluia, has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.' V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. Then the collect: 'O God, who through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, did vouchsafe to give joy to the world; grant, we beseech you, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.'

Tips

• The Angelus is traditionally prayed standing, and many kneel for the third versicle, 'And the Word was made flesh', in honour of the Incarnation.
• Praying it in a family or an office is easy: one person leads the versicles and everyone answers and joins in the Hail Marys.
• In some places three Glory Bes and an Eternal Rest for the faithful departed are added after the collect. That is a local custom, not part of the prayer itself.
• If you miss the hour, pray it when you remember; the point is to return to the Incarnation, not to keep a schedule.