The Feast of the Visitation recalls to us the following great truths and events: The visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation; the cleansing of John the Baptist from original sin in the womb of his mother at the words of Our Lady’s greeting; Elizabeth’s proclaiming of Mary—under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost—as Mother of God and “blessed among women”; Mary’s singing of the sublime hymn, Magnificat (“My soul doth magnify the Lord”) which has become a part of the daily official prayer of the Church. The Visitation is frequently depicted in art, and was the central mystery of St. Francis de Sales’ devotions.

The Mass of today salutes her who in her womb bore the King of heaven and earth, the Creator of the world, the Son of the Eternal Father, the Sun of Justice. It narrates the cleansing of John from original sin in his mother’s womb. Hearing herself addressed by the most lofty title of “Mother of the Lord” and realizing what grace her visit had conferred on John, Mary broke out in that sublime canticle of praise proclaiming prophetically that henceforth she would be venerated down through the centuries:

“My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me, and holy is His name” (Lk. 1:46).

This feast is of medieval origin, it was kept by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its observance spread throughout the entire Church. Previously it was celebrated on July 2. Now it is celebrated between the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the birth of St. John the Baptist, in conformity with the Gospel accounts. Some places appropriately observe a celebration of the reality and sanctity of human life in the womb. The liturgical color is white.

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Petronilla. The feast of the Queenship of Mary is now celebrated in the Ordinary Rite on August 22.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. “… And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

    O Mary, so humble. Make me humble as You.

  2. The Feast of the Visitation: Mother Mary set us an example of selfless service. Help us learn from our Mother.

  3. “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me, and holy is His name.” May Mary our Mother joins with us Her Canticle.

  4. THE. VISITATION,,,,,,,OF. MARY….!!!!!!!
    MARY. HOLY. MOTHER OF. GOD ,,,,,,,,PRAY. FOR. US,,,,,,,,,
    AS. YOU. WERE. GOD’S……..CHOSEN…….TO. BE……THE….MOTHER….OF….JESUS CHRIST !!!!!!! LET…US….ALWAYS
    BE………….WITH….A…LOVING…..HEART……..AS….YOU…….LIVED….YOUR…..LIFE !!!!!!!! LET….US…..REMEMBER…..
    YOUR…….DEEP….BELIEF……..YOUR…..UNQUESTIONABLE……….DEVOTION…….TO…..OUR…..GOD……THE….FATHER!!
    WE….PRAY…TO…YOU….MARY….MOTHER…OF…GOD..!!!!!!!! FOR…….YOUR…..F A I T H …!!!!!!!!!!! IN……TIMES…OF
    DOUBT……..YOU….DID…NOT…WAVER…!!,,,,,,EVER……HOLDING…ON….TO….YOUR……….FAITH !!!!!!!!!!

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