ANNUNCIATION
O gentle maid, O lovely-hearted woman,
sprung from the seed of patriarchs and kings,
conceived immaculate,* divinely destined Virgin!
O mystic rose, the overshadowing Wings
Above thy listening soul stood on that day
when God leaned down to touch His earth with grace,
and planted in thy womb, its tendrils curled,
the living Vine of love; thy radiant face
was rapture-thrilled. The careless world went on
nor knew the miracle was wrought. Thy word,
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord! His will
be done," a breathless heaven, adoring, heard;
and knelt unto its tabernacled God
made flesh beneath thy pure heart's virgin-shrine
forever blessed and reverenced art thou:
Love's covenant and pledge, Love's seal and sign.
Sister M Faith OP
Anthonian. April 1957
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*Reference to the Catholic teaching that the Blessed Virgin was free from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception
From 'A Silence full of bells'
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