The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Six months before Christmas, we gather to take up the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. After receiving the exciting message from the angel Gabriel that she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, Mary hastily came into the threshold of Elizabeth’s home and spoke to her about what God had accomplished in her womb. Upon hearing the news, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb (the prophet John the Baptist) leaped for joy. Elizabeth was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking and praising God for the blessings that He was showering down upon Mary and her and the human race through the birth of Mary’s son. On this day where we celebrate the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, we rejoice that as they held each other in their arms, in both of their wombs was the promised redemption that was to be brought to all people.