Saints LightWhat Did Mary Say to God?
The angel Gabriel asked Mary to be the mother of God's Son, and Mary said yes, so Jesus came to live among us.
In a small town called Nazareth lived a young Jewish woman named Mary. She loved God with her whole heart. One day God sent the angel Gabriel to her with amazing news. We call this visit the Annunciation, which means the announcement (CCC 484).
Gabriel greeted her with joy and called her highly favored, or full of grace. God had kept Mary free from every sin from the very first moment of her life, so she would be ready to be the mother of His Son. The Church calls this the Immaculate Conception (CCC 490-491).
The angel told Mary that she would have a baby by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that her son would be the Son of God. Mary wondered how this could happen. Gabriel explained, and reminded her that nothing is impossible for God.
Then Mary gave her answer: yes. She called herself the servant of the Lord and asked that it be done to her just as God said (CCC 494). At that moment God the Son became a tiny baby growing inside Mary. Mary's yes helped bring Jesus into the world.
God asks us to say yes too, maybe not to something as big, but every day: yes to sharing, yes to telling the truth, yes to praying even when we feel sleepy. When we pray the Hail Mary, we repeat the angel's happy greeting and ask Mary to help us say yes the way she did.
Key points
- The angel Gabriel brought Mary God's message.
- God kept Mary free from all sin.
- Mary said yes, and God the Son became man.
The Word of God
Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!
For nothing spoken by God is impossible.
Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 484
- CCC 490-491
- CCC 494
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
From the tradition
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Live it this week
Pray one Hail Mary with your family each night this week. Each day, look for one small chance to say yes to God, like helping without being asked.
Check yourself: three questions
1. Who brought God's message to Mary?
- The angel Gabriel
- St Joseph
- A shepherd
- King David
Show the answer
The angel Gabriel. God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth.
2. What did Mary answer?
- Not right now
- Ask someone else
- Yes, let it be done as God says
- I need to think for a year
Show the answer
Yes, let it be done as God says. Mary called herself the servant of the Lord and said yes to God's plan.
3. What does the Immaculate Conception mean?
- Jesus was born in a stable
- Mary was kept free from all sin from the first moment of her life
- Mary went up to heaven
- Gabriel was a very special angel
Show the answer
Mary was kept free from all sin from the first moment of her life. The Immaculate Conception is about Mary: God kept her free from sin from the very start of her life.
Words to know
- Annunciation
- The day the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know the story of the Annunciation, that Mary was full of grace, and that her yes brought Jesus into the world, and will want to say yes to God too.
Opener. Ask: "If an angel visited you today, what do you think you would feel?" Then ask: "What do you think God might ask you to do?"
Discussion questions
- Why was Mary a little surprised by the angel's message? [It was a huge and unexpected plan. She asked a good question and then trusted God.]
- What does full of grace mean? [Full of God's life and love, with no sin at all. Children often mix this up with Jesus' birth; gently clarify.]
- Why was Mary's yes so important? [Through her yes, God the Son became a man and came to save us.]
- What is one yes God might be asking of you this week? [Help them name something real and small.]
Activity. Act out the Annunciation: one child is Gabriel, one is Mary, and others narrate from Luke 1:26-38. Use simple props like a scarf and a paper halo, and let several groups take turns. Then each child writes "My yes to God" on a paper heart, with one thing they will say yes to this week. Learn the first half of the Hail Mary together with simple hand motions.
Closing prayer. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Mary, help us say yes to God like you.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, angel opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, role play and yes hearts 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- Mary and the Saints: The Family of God (Start Here, free)
- The Immaculate Conception (Mary and the Saints)
- who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary (The Creed, free)
- Mary in Scripture: New Eve and Ark of the Covenant (Mary and the Saints)
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