Feast of the Visitation – May 31


This feast, which commemorates the joyous visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, comes at the end of the month of Mary.

visitationThe visit of Mary to Elizabeth celebrates the meeting between a virgin, who will miraculously bear a son and an old woman, who also bears a son in her womb. As the two women embrace, these two sons – Jesus and John - will have their first contact. Elizabeth will prophetically proclaim the role of Mary: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." (Luke 1:42-45). Mary is revealed here as the blessed mother of the Lord.


Mary, in response, proclaims the prayerful song that has become every Catholic's daily pray: " My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever" (Luke 1:46-55).


In the Holy Land, Catholics make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem on this day.

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