Saint of the Day for 31 May: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Meaning, Feast and Devotion
Name
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Title
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
Recurrence
31 May
Martyrology
2004 edition
Prayer
You, O Mary, do not keep to yourself the great news and event of God’s Incarnation, of the fulfillment of the promises. You bring it and immediately communicate it to Elizabeth. You put yourself at service with humility and dedication. Thus every Christian cannot keep the gift of faith to himself; he is by nature an evangelizer, a bearer of the newness of love that gives itself in selfless service. Proclamation of Christ and service to man should never be separated. Amen
Patron of
Campotosto, Matera, Malborghetto Valbruna, Cipressa, Caronno Pertusella, Bagnolo Mella, Vestone, Montello, Tavernola Bergamasca, Costa Valle Imagna, Castorano, Claviere, Enna, Subbiano, Lona-Lases, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Due Carrare, Bressanvido
Roman Martyrology
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth.
The Saint and Mission
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an event that profoundly exemplifies the Christian mission of love and service. Mary, upon receiving the angel’s announcement that she would carry the Savior, hastened to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who in turn was pregnant with John the Baptist. This gesture of caring and compassion is a powerful demonstration of Mary’s willingness to serve others despite her own extraordinary circumstances. Mary’s mission, reflected in the Visitation, is not only about bringing Christ to the world physically, but also spiritually through acts of charity and humility. Her visit to Elizabeth is a concrete example of how God’s presence is manifested in the action of caring for others, especially those who are waiting for a significant change in their lives. The joy that both women shared during this encounter underscores the importance of community and mutual support in fulfilling the divine mission. Mary not only carried Jesus in her womb but also brought hope, joy and consolation to Elizabeth. This episode invites all believers to see Christian mission as a commitment to others, a journey of sharing and support, where service becomes a living witness to God’s love. The Visitation reminds us that every act of kindness and support toward others is an essential part of our spiritual mission.
The Saint and Mercy
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a sublime example of mercy in action. Mary, as soon as she received the news of her miraculous pregnancy, did not hesitate to travel to the home of her cousin Elizabeth, who was also extraordinarily pregnant. This journey was not only an act of family, but a manifestation of deep compassion and support. Mary was carrying not only the Messiah in her womb, but also a message of hope and joy. Her meeting with Elizabeth was a moment of sharing grace and mutual recognition of God’s mercy at work in their lives. The embrace of these two pregnant women, both uniquely blessed, underscores how divine mercy is extended through daily gestures of love and mutual support. In the magnificat, the song of praise that Mary raises to God during the visitation, her deep gratitude for divine mercy is reflected. Mary recognizes how God looked with favor on her humility and accomplished great things for her. This canticle becomes a hymn to the mercy God offers to all generations. The visitation teaches us that mercy is not just an abstract concept, but a concrete action manifested in care and service toward others. Mary, by her journey and presence, shows that mercy is an active commitment to share the burden and joy of others, embodying God’s love in human relationships.
Hagiography
When the Virgin learned from the Archangel Gabriel that she was close to becoming the mother of the Forerunner, she was inwardly stirred by the Holy Spirit to go to the home of her cousin St. Elizabeth, who was sweetly expecting John the Baptist, to bring there the first fruits of redemption. The journey from Nazareth, where the Blessed Virgin lived, to the town of Hebron where Elizabeth was staying was about 69 miles. The mountains and…
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