VISITATION OF THE BVM

 The feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is closely connected with Jesus and his saving work. The more visible actors in the visitation drama are Mary and Elizabeth. 

    However, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy—the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, in turn, 

    is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary—words that echo down through the ages. Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as “The Mother of my Lord” can be viewed as 

    the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth’s (the Church’s) words first praise God for what God has done to Mary. 

    Only secondly does she praise Mary for trusting God’s words.





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