Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

+ The Feast of the Visitation recalls the journey made by the Blessed Virgin to see her relative, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with Saint John the Baptist.

+ This feast dates back to the 6^th century and was formerly celebrated on July 2. In 1969, it was moved to today’s date so that it can be celebrated between the Solemnity of the Annunciation (on March 25) and the Solemnity of the birth of Saint John the Baptist (on June 24).

+ This feast invites us to always be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit and we have Mary as our model of humility, obedience, and service.

For prayer and reflection

“In your relations with one another clothe yourselves with humility, God is stern with the arrogant but to the humble he shows kindness. Bow humbly under God's mighty hand, so that in due time he may lift you high. Cast all your care on him because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:5b-7

Spiritual bonus

On May 31 we also remember Saint Camilla Battista Varano. Leaving behind her noble status, she became a Poor Clare nun and helped work for the spread of her order and served as abbess of various monasteries. Remembered as a mystic and visionary, she died in 1524 and was canonized in 2010.

Prayer

Almighty ever-living God,
who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb,
inspired her to visit Elizabeth,
grant us, we pray,
that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,
we may magnify your greatness
with the Virgin Mary at all times.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.