Angelus and Magnificat

Imagine reciting the words of the Archangel Gabriel on the spot where Gabriel himself spoke them to Mary. And after Mary's fiat, this was where Verbum caro factum est, the Word was made flesh. Amazing.

Pope Benedict prays in the Grotto of the Church of the Annunciation in the northern city of Nazareth May 14, 2009. The Church, built over the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches in the town where Jesus grew up, contains a grotto in which, tradition says, the Virgin Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she would give birth to the Son of God. REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ISRAEL POLITICS RELIGION SOCIETY)

The Pope praying Vespers in the Basilica of the Annunciation

Then imagine praying the Magnificat, the joyful prayer of praise and thanksgiving of the Most Holy Theotokos at the spot where she first spoke those words. A privilege indeed.

Quotable quotes

I remember when I was Bishop of Fall River the people in Sandwich wanted to build a parish church. They said: “We want a Church that looks like a Church,” because sometimes churches are built today that you could mistake for a bowling alley.

Well, I think the people in Houston got a cathedral that looks like a cathedral — it is very bright, large and the artwork is stunning.

-Seán Cardinal O'Malley of Boston