Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates Mary’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, while she was pregnant with Jesus. During this visit, Elizabeth shares that she is pregnant with a child, the future John the Baptist. After Mary shares her news about Jesus, Elizabeth exclaims, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed be the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). Like Elizabeth’s exclamation, we are invited to appreciate the gift of Mary’s “yes”, and like Mary, bring the Good News to others. St. John Paul II explained that, with “Mary's visit to Elizabeth, she becomes the model for those in the Church who set out to bring Christ's light and joy to the people of every time and place.”