Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
Feast Day: 31 May

After Annunciation, Virgin Mary hurried to a town in Judea to visit Elizabeth, her cousin who was pregnant at the time. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, John the Baptist, the baby in her womb, leapt in excitement and joy. This incident is found in Luke 1:39-42. The basilica has a Visitation mural with the depiction of Mary and her cousin outside Elizabeth and Zachary’s house.

Elizabeth asked Mary, "Why would the mother of the Lord come visit me?" She knelt upon Blessed Virgin Mary; this is a sign that she is humbled by the presence of the Lord God and His Mother.

The women are positioned between Joseph, with his donkey and holding his walking stick, and Zachary, who was depicted as an old man (Elizabeth was also depicted as an aged lady). Mary's answer to the question of Elizabeth is actually the lyrics of Magnificat, the well-known canticle sung everyday during Evening Prayer (found in Luke 1:46-55).

Saint Mark, the Evangelist

Saint Mark the Evangelist, also called by the name of John Mark is said to be the writer of Gospel of Mark. He is also popularly known as constant company of Saint Peter. He is known to have authored the gospel of Mark during his travel with St Peter to Rome. The gospel as a widely popular one containing details about Peter’s activities and works during the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

St Mark also accompanied Barnabas and Paul of Tarsus on the first missionary work of Paul. During this trip, there was a major disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, with the latter separating from Paul and bringing along Mark with him.
Later Paul called on Mark to be his companion. Since then Mark was also known as the fellow worker of Paul.

Saint Mark the Evangelist is also known to have given the message that gives importance to the Holy Word of the Lord God to the lives of everyone. He preaches that the Holy Scriptures speak to all of us and reach the depth of our hearts.

The feast day of St Mark the Evangelist is April 25, also the date of the saint’s martyrdom. He is also known as the Patron Saint of Barristers and of Venice.

St Bernadette Soubirous: Patron Saint of the Sick

Saint Bernadette, also known as Marie Bernarde Soubirous in her younger days was born and stayed at Lourdes, a Southern France town. Her true Occitan name is Ma. Bernada Sobirós. In the year 1858, Saint Bernadeta (translated as Little Bernadette) reported apparitions of "a beautiful Lady."

This was initial met with major skepticism by the Roman Catholic Church. However, Saint Bernadette’s claims were eventually pronounced worthy of trust and belief after a dedicated and comprehensive canonical investigation.

And one of the true miracles, the body of Bernadette stayed incorruptible after her death, and Lourdes’ Shrine became a very popular site for Catholic and Christian pilgrimage. Millions of pilgrims visit the Saint Bernadette Shrine at Lourdes every year.

Few more facts about St Bernadette

Canonization as Saint: 8th December 1933
Feast Day: April 16
Patron Saint: Sick people, poverty, family

St Athanasius: Patron Saint of Orthodoxy and Traditional Roman Catholicism

Saint Athanasius the Great (and the Apostolic), also known as Pope Athanasius I of Alexandria was a Church Elder, Bishop of Alexandria, a theologian and a major religious leader in Egypt during the 4th century.

Conflict with Bishop Arius

He is widely known for his role in the popular conflict with Arius, also a Egyptian Bishop. During a council of Nicaea (325), Catholic Saint Athanasius debated against Arius regarding his doctrine which tells about Jesus Christ being a distinct substance from the Lord God.

Reverence for various Churches

St Athanasius is not only considered a Catholic Saint; he is also honored a saint by the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches. He is considered a revered Church leader by the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran, and Protestants.

Chronologically, St Athanasius is the very first Church Doctor with the Roman Catholic Church’s designation - he belongs to the Great Doctors and Leaders of Eastern Church.

Feast day of St Athanasius

Christianity: May 2
Eastern Orthodox: January 18
Coptic Orthodox: May 15

Saint Athanasius is well-known for the title “Champion of Orthodoxy.” He is the Patron Saint of traditional Roman Catholics.

Saint Joseph's Feast Day: May 1

Today is May 1, the feast day of Saint Joseph, which is not just the Patron Saint of Carpenters and Real Estate Sellers, but also of Workers in general. Perhaps this is the reason why the Labor Day of most countries is celebrated on this date.

Short Prayer to Saint Joseph

Dear Catholic Saint Joseph, guardian of the Blessed Family, please protect the people of Christ, always lead us away from sin and corruption and the powers of darkness. You, who rescued Jesus as a Child from the hands of Herod, so do protect the Universal Church of Christ from harm. Keep us the Children of God one under your loving protection, and by your example, we also will lead a blessed life, and in death be able to experience eternal life and the Divine Presence of God in the kingdom of heaven, Amen.

Related Saint Joseph Article