What does angelus mean?
The Angelus is a short Catholic devotion recited three times each day — traditionally at about 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. — in commemoration of the Incarnation of Christ. It takes its name from its opening verse, which recounts the angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, and it consists of three versicles, each followed by a Hail Mary, with concluding prayers. The word also refers to the church bell rung at these hours to summon the faithful to pause and pray, a custom once so widespread that field workers would stop mid-labor when it sounded. The devotion has been practiced since roughly the thirteenth century and remains part of daily Catholic life in many communities, especially in Ireland, Italy, Spain, and parts of rural Europe and Latin America. Beyond religion, the term entered wider culture through art — most famously Jean-François Millet's 1857–59 painting 'The Angelus', which depicts two peasants bowing in prayer at the evening bell. For readers interested in liturgical vocabulary, the Angelus is a distinctive word whose sound still marks the rhythm of the day in countless towns.
A Catholic devotion said at morning, noon, and evening in commemoration of the Incarnation, consisting of versicles and responses including the Hail Mary.
"He never missed saying the Angelus at midday, even on his busiest days."
Usually capitalized when naming this specific devotion.
The bell rung at the times of this devotion to call people to pray.
"The Angelus rang out over the harbour at sunset."
Often heard in the phrase 'the Angelus bell'; common in Irish and continental European usage.
Rarely needed; the devotion is normally referred to in the singular. The Latin-derived form 'angeli' occasionally appears in scholarly contexts but 'angeluses' is standard.
"Different parishes rang their angeluses at slightly different hours."
Painted by Jean-François Millet in 1857–59, 'The Angelus' shows two peasants bowing their heads as the evening church bell rings — one of the most reproduced paintings of all time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of angelus
The word derives from Latin angelus, meaning 'messenger' or 'angel', itself borrowed from Greek angelos with the same sense. The English devotion took its name from the opening versicle of the prayer, which quotes the words of the Annunciation ('The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary'), and the term was established in ecclesiastical use by the late medieval period. The same Latin root underlies related English words such as 'angelic' and 'archangel'.
How angelus is actually used
Typically capitalized when referring to the specific devotion ('the Angelus'), though lowercase usage also appears. The word belongs chiefly to Roman Catholic practice and carries a reverent, traditional connotation. The related painting by Jean-François Millet is often simply called 'L'Angélus'.
Easily confused with angelus
An 'angel' is a spiritual being in religious tradition, whereas the 'Angelus' is a set prayer or its accompanying bell.