The Angelus
The traditional prayer commemorating the Incarnation, prayed at morning, noon, and evening.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace... (pray one Hail Mary) V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary, full of grace... (pray one Hail Mary) V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, full of grace... (pray one Hail Mary) V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
History
The Angelus developed in the Middle Ages from the custom of praying three Hail Marys at the ringing of the evening bell, taking its name from its opening Latin words, 'Angelus Domini.' By the 16th century it had reached its present form of three versicles, three Hail Marys, and a closing collect.
When to Pray
Traditionally prayed three times a day — at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. — often at the sound of church bells. During Eastertide it is replaced by the Regina Caeli.