“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus” (Lk 1:31). This is the mystery that we celebrate today on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of our Lord: the mystery of the Incarnation. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a Son”(see Lk 1:31).

How can this be? “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (see Lk 1:35).

In today’s Gospel, we are given not only the name of the child—Jesus—but also His sacred and most holy mission. He will be called holy, the Son of God. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (see Lk 1:32–33). He will save His people, for this is the meaning of the name Jesus.

As we inaugurate this new monastery dedicated to the Mother of the Lord, the Mother of God, we pray that it may be a sign of the presence of God among us.

For this is the name given to the child—Jesus means “God saves.” And indeed, God is with us.

We pray for the intercession of Our Lady, that together with her we may repeat words of obedience, fidelity, and trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

These are sacred words that open the doors of our redemption. They are the words of a humble human being that undo our disobedience. They are words of humility that conquer the arrogance and pride of Satan.

They are the words of Our Lady, and we unite ourselves with them.

Although we are not as pure as she is, we rely on her intercession—Advocata nostra: she is the one who intercedes for us, who defends us, who protects us.

I place you, and all the generations of Sisters who will inhabit this place, under the protection of Our Lady—she who shows us the way through her humility, her obedience, and her fidelity.

Today we also celebrate the obedience of the Son of God: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me” (Hebrews 10:5). Then I said, as it is written of me in the scroll: ‘Behold, I come to do your will” (Hebrews 10:7).

Mass Readings
Reading 1: Is 7: 10-14; 8: 10
Psalm: 39: 7-1
Reading II: Hebrews 10: 4-10
Gospel: Lk 1: 26-38