The history of the Angelus is difficult to trace. It is certain that it was already well established 700 years ago, as the first written documentation is found in Italian monasteries in the 13th century. It is believed that it had its origins with the 11th century custom of reciting three Hail Marys during the evening, or Compline, bell. Eventually, this custom was extended to the morning, or Prime, bell as well. Recitation at noon grew out of the custom of commemorating the Passion at noon on Fridays. As a result, the custom was that Hail Marys were said to commemorate the Resurrection in the morning, the Passion at noon, and the Annunciation in the evening. Both Pope Urban II and Pope John XXII have been credited with instituting the Angelus while the triple recitation is ascribed to King Louis XI of France in 1472. By the 17th century, the form of the prayer was standardized.
Today, it is still customary in many places to recite the Angelus three times daily. At the lines “And the Word was made flesh / And dwelt among us”, it is common to bow or genuflect to draw attention to the moment of the Incarnation. For those who wish to begin reciting this prayer, the text is included below:
℣. The Angel of the LORD declared unto Mary,
℟. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary …
℣. Behold the handmaid of the LORD.
℟. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary …
℣. And the Word was made flesh.
℟. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary …
℣. Pray for us, O' Holy Mother of God.
℟. That we might 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.