Our Lady Full of Grace

Our Lady, Full of Grace...pray for us

In light of Blessed Fra Angelico's Annunciation above, think about the difference between the moments of the Annunciation and that of the Incarnation. Then look back at the image in light of the Incarnation.

If you look at the expression on Blessed Mary's face to the right, you will notice that she's not actually looking at St. Gabriel, she is staring off into space. At the same time she is holding her chest, indicating that she has already conceived Christ in her heart. Furthermore, in light of the more artistic points, there is no gate present (gates are often present in the Annunciation being that Mary is the Gate for Christ to come into the world, and He's already entered the gate at this point), and there is no Holy Spirit descending upon our Blessed Mother either.

On a note that rings more of the TOB, the expression on her face is similar to Batoni's The Ecstasy of Catherine of Siena:


When we think about ecstasy in the saints, we must not separate the bodies from the souls. In images of St. Catherine of Siena or St. Teresa of Avila in ecstasy, we can clearly see that their bodies are feeling the effects of the ecstasy as well. Other saints have levitated in ecstasy or even caught on fire with the fire of Divine Love. Just imagine how much union must exist between body and soul for if the soul is in bliss, then the body should be in bliss too.

St. Thomas Aquinas talks about Christ exuding grace from His Body, especially at the Transfiguration. Thus, grace must've become tangible in some sense at the Transfiguration. After all, the rock, which can still be found at the spot, changed to a marvellous white color that still cannot be replicated by modern science.

Thus, when we think of the Blessed Virgin, and how she is called "Full of Grace" by the angel Gabriel, we have to wonder what that really means.

Our Lady, Full of Grace...pray for us

(Happy feast of the Presentation of the BVM)