Saturday, May 31, 2008

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).

No comments: