Mary, Jesus will be your son; help me say yes to God.

1) May you be blessed beyond all women on earth. You are the glory of Jerusalem. You are the highest honour of our people.

2) The angel Gabriel was sent by God to Mary: "Rejoice so highly favoured! The Lord is with you."

3) She was deeply disturbed by this greeting, but the angel said to her, "Mary, do not be afraid - you have won God's favour."

4) "Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son. He will be great and will be called son of the most High."

5) "The Lord will give him the throne of his ancestor David, and His reign will have no end."

6) Mary said: "But how can this come about since I am a virgin? (and have made a vow to remain so)

7) "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow."

8) "And so the child will be holy and will be called son of God. For nothing is impossible to God."

9) "I am the handmaid of the Lord" Mary said, "Let what you have said be done to me."

10) Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness - they will have their fill.