Manila Archdiocese Reschedules Feast of the Annunciation to April 8
In an unprecedented move, the Archdiocese of Manila has announced the rescheduling of the Feast of the Annunciation from its traditional date of March 25 to April 8 this year. The decision comes as the original date coincides with Holy Monday, prompting the Church to observe the solemnity after the Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
The Feast of the Annunciation, which commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she would bear the Son of God, is a significant event in the Christian calendar. This year’s shift in schedule reflects the Church’s adherence to liturgical norms, which prioritize the observance of Holy Week’s sacred days.
The Manila Archdiocese, in Circular 2024-19, has stated that the solemnity will be celebrated on the Monday following the Second Sunday of Easter, as per the General Norms of the Liturgical Year and Calendar. This adjustment ensures that the faithful can fully participate in the Holy Week services and the Feast of the Annunciation with the reverence each occasion deserves.
The rescheduling is a reminder of the Church’s flexibility in maintaining the spirit of its traditions while respecting the liturgical sequence. As the Filipino Catholic community prepares for this change, the Archdiocese of Manila invites all to join in the celebrations that honor the Annunciation’s message of hope and divine grace.