Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

The Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio, ARSH 1472-1475, Uffizi Gallery

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation.  Pious tradition holds that March 25th is also the day of creation (Let there be light) and the proper day on which Our Lord died.  For this reason, up until not too long ago, March 25th was a widely-used New Year’s Day in Christendom.

Above is one of my favorite images.  In particular, the archangel Gabriel on the left, whose countenance is the most perfectly ferocious look of love I have ever seen depicted.  I find it moving and inspirational, and look at it often.