Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today we remember the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast day started around the 13th to 14th century.
This feast day was established throughout the Church to pray for the unity of all people. The present date of celebration was selected during the year 1969, in order to follow the Annunciation of the Lord and to precede the celebration of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.
Like many feasts of Mary, this feast day is very closely connected with Jesus and his powerful saving work. The people who are greatly focused on during the visitation (see Luke 1:39-45) are Mary and Elizabeth.
However, Jesus and John the Baptist are mentioned and are extremely impactful to the visitation in a hidden way.
Jesus makes John leap with joy which represents the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, is filled greatly with the Holy Spirit and she addresses words of praise to Mary these words have echoed down through the ages.
It is extremely helpful to remember this amazing event that we celebrate today. Since, Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as “the mother of my Lord” can be viewed as one the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary.
Elizabeth’s powerful words praise God for what God has done to Mary and her words also praise Mary for trusting God’s words.
Also present during this encounter is the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
During the Magnificat, Mary herself traces all her greatness to God. The feast day of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on May 31.
Prayer to Mary: Mary please help us so that we may be able to keep our minds, body and soul pure and help us to be able to prepare ourselves to do the will of the Your Son. Mary, Our Mother in Heaven help us to take care of all the children on this earth and help us to pray and repent for all the wrong we have done. Mary help us to be like Your Son and help us to deepen our intimacy with Him. Amen Our Lady pray for us St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works Cited
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan Media. "Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ”Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Franciscan Media. Accessed 31, May 2021.
Images:
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May 31, 2021. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Google Search.
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