The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast day: May 31
Mary hurries to visit Elizabeth, bringing Jesus, whom she carries, to others (31/05)
What is this feast?
The feast of the Visitation celebrates the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, her relative. It is the meeting of two mothers: Mary is carrying Jesus, and Elizabeth is carrying John the Baptist. It is also the second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.
The story
When the angel brought Mary the news, he told her that Elizabeth, although old and known as the one who could not have children, was now six months pregnant. Hearing this, “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah” (Lk 1:39). The journey was long and tiring. The Gospel does not give the reason, but we can understand that Mary wanted to share the joy and help her older relative.
Mary entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth heard the greeting, the child in her womb leaped for joy, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She said: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43). She also called Mary blessed because she had believed the Lord’s word (cf. Lk 1:41-45).
Then Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (Lk 1:46-47). This is the Magnificat, which the Church sings every evening at Evening Prayer. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home (cf. Lk 1:56).
Pope Urban VI added this feast to the Roman calendar in 1389, on 2 July. In 1969, it was moved to 31 May, to follow the order of the Gospel: after the Annunciation on 25 March and before the Birth of Saint John the Baptist on 24 June.
Why does the Church celebrate it?
Because Mary shows that someone who has God in their heart does not sit still, but hurries to help others. She brought Jesus, and joy spread through the whole house of Zechariah.
A lesson for you
- Be quick to help your grandparents and parents, especially when they are old or tired.
- Visit or check on relatives and friends who are sad or sick.
- Like Mary, thank God for the good things he does for you.
Identifying marks
- Two women embracing joyfully: Mary comes to greet Elizabeth, her relative.
- The young Mary on the left, in a white dress, a blue mantle and a white veil: she has just said “yes” and is carrying Jesus in her womb.
- Elizabeth on the right, with white hair, a cream veil and a moss-green mantle: she is old and yet six months pregnant (cf. Lk 1:36).
- Two faces looking at each other, beaming: the joy of two mothers, and of the two babies in their wombs.
- A hill village and olive trees faint in the background: “a town of Judah” in the hill country (Lk 1:39); according to tradition, the village of Ein Karem.
- A thin ring of light above both heads: Mary and Saint Elizabeth are both honored by the Church.
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