The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast Day: May 31
The Visitation is a special feast in the Catholic Church. It is celebrated on May 31. This day remembers when Mary, the Mother of Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth. Mary had just learned she would be the mother of Jesus. Elizabeth was also expecting a child, John the Baptist. Their meeting was full of joy and praise for God.
This event is described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39–56). After the angel Gabriel told Mary about Jesus, he also said Elizabeth was having a child. Mary quickly went to visit her. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called Mary blessed because she believed God’s promises. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb, John the Baptist, leaped for joy.
The Visitation is one of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. It shows Mary’s kindness and faith. She went to help Elizabeth even though she was expecting a child herself. The Rosary helps us think about Mary’s trust in God and her love for others.
The feast reminds us of the joy of Jesus’ coming. It shows the beauty of serving others with love. We are called to follow Mary’s example. We can bring Jesus to others in our words and actions, just as Mary brought Him to Elizabeth.
A Journey of Love and Obedience
Mary traveled from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah. This was not a short or easy journey. It may have taken her several days, but she went quickly after hearing the angel’s message. Mary chose to visit her cousin Elizabeth because the angel told her that Elizabeth was also expecting a child.
This journey shows Mary’s faith and trust. The angel announced that Mary would be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. Mary believed the message and responded with a “yes” to God’s plan. Her journey to Elizabeth was an act of obedience to the angel’s words and a response to the great work God was doing.
Mary’s visit was also an act of humility and charity. Mary could have stayed home to focus on her own miraculous pregnancy. Instead, she went to help Elizabeth, who was older and might have needed extra support. Mary thought about others before herself.
This journey has spiritual meaning too. Mary carried Jesus within her as she traveled. In this way, she was the first to bring Christ to others. Her steps show us the importance of sharing Jesus with those we meet.
A Moment of Joy and Blessing
When Mary arrived, Elizabeth greeted her with great joy. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She knew that Mary was carrying Jesus, even though Mary had not told her. Elizabeth called Mary blessed and praised her for believing God’s promise.
The baby in Elizabeth’s womb, who was John the Baptist, leaped for joy when Mary came. This shows us the special role of John as the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. Even before his birth, John recognized the presence of Jesus.
Mary brought Christ to Elizabeth, and with Him came joy and the Holy Spirit. This meeting shows how Mary is a model for all Christians. We are called to bring Jesus to others by our words, actions, and presence.
Elizabeth’s greeting shows the importance of encouragement and recognizing God’s work in others. Her words remind us to thank and praise God for the blessings He gives to those around us.
A Song of Faith and Trust
After Elizabeth’s greeting, Mary praised God in a song called the Magnificat. Mary’s words show her deep faith and trust in God. She began by thanking God for looking kindly on her, a humble servant. Mary knew she was not important in the eyes of the world, but God chose her for a special purpose.
Mary praised God for His mercy and power. She spoke about how God lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry. At the same time, He humbles the proud and powerful. Mary saw that God’s ways are not like the ways of the world.
The Magnificat also speaks of God’s justice. Mary praised Him for keeping His promises to Israel. She remembered how God promised to bless His people through Abraham, and she trusted that He would fulfill His plan.
This song teaches us to praise God in all things. Mary’s words remind us to thank Him for His blessings and trust Him even when life is hard. The Magnificat shows us how to pray with faith and humility.
Serving with Joy and Humility
The Visitation teaches us to serve others with joy and humility. Mary went to Elizabeth not for her own benefit but to help her cousin. She shows us the importance of thinking about others and offering our time and help to those in need.
Mary’s visit also reminds us of the joy that comes from following God’s plan. Elizabeth and her baby were filled with joy because Mary brought Christ to them. When we bring Jesus to others through our words and actions, we also bring joy and hope.
Mary is a model of discipleship. She trusted God’s plan for her life, even though it was unexpected and difficult. She shows us how to say “yes” to God and trust Him, even when we do not understand everything.
The Visitation teaches us to recognize God’s blessings and praise Him. Like Elizabeth, we should encourage others and see God’s work in their lives. Like Mary, we should thank Him for His mercy and goodness.
Celebrating the Visitation
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Visitation on May 31. This feast reminds us of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the joy of God’s promises. At Mass, the Gospel reading is about Mary’s journey and the Magnificat.
There are many ways to honor this feast. We can pray the Magnificat, reflecting on its themes of humility and trust. Singing hymns like “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” can also help us meditate on Mary’s example.
Meditating on the Visitation can inspire us to serve others with love. We can think about ways to bring joy to those around us, especially the elderly, the sick, or the lonely, just as Mary helped Elizabeth.
Finally, we can imitate Mary by trusting God in our own lives. Her “yes” to God and her joyful service remind us to follow Him with faith, even when the road is difficult. The spirit of the Visitation can guide us to live with love, humility, and joy every day.
Daily Mass Readings for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- First Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18a: Rejoice and sing with all your heart, for the Lord has removed your judgment, turned away your enemies, and is present among you as a mighty savior who rejoices and loves you, bringing you renewal and celebration.
- Alternate First Reading – Romans 12:9-16: Love sincerely, reject evil, honor others, serve the Lord, persevere in prayer, support fellow believers, bless persecutors, empathize, be humble.
- Responsorial Psalm – Isaiah 12: Rejoice in the Lord, for He is our Savior and the source of strength and courage; let us give thanks, proclaim His greatness, and celebrate His presence among us.
- Gospel – Luke 1:39-56: Mary embarked on a journey to the hill country, greeted Elizabeth, and stayed with her for three months before returning home, while Elizabeth exclaimed that Mary was blessed among women and her unborn child leaped in joy upon hearing Mary’s greeting.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.
Luke 1:41
Homilies and Reflections
Word on Fire: Discovering Our Role in God’s Story
In his reflection for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Robert Barron focuses on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. He highlights Mary’s “haste” to see her cousin after learning of their miraculous pregnancies. This urgency reflects Mary’s realization of her role in God’s plan, the “theo-drama.” Unlike the “ego-drama,” where we center our lives around our own choices, the theo-drama is directed by God. Mary’s eagerness to visit Elizabeth shows her desire to embrace her part in God’s story. We, like Mary, are called to find our place in this divine narrative.
USCCB Reflection: Mary’s Joyful Visit
In this USCCB video reflection for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we celebrate Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. As Mary greets her, John the Baptist leaps in Elizabeth’s womb, recognizing Jesus’ presence. Mary responds with the Magnificat, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord. This event emphasizes the importance of recognizing and welcoming God’s presence in our lives. We are encouraged to spend time in contemplation, understanding our mission and calling. By receiving the Eucharist and seeking forgiveness, we allow Jesus to permeate our being, preparing us to fulfill our role in the Church’s mission.
Reflection: Walking with Mary to Serve Others
The Visitation is a beautiful moment in Mary’s life that teaches us many lessons. After learning she would be the mother of Jesus, Mary could have stayed home to focus on herself. Instead, she traveled to help her cousin Elizabeth, who was expecting a child in her old age. This act of love and service shows us the importance of putting others before ourselves.
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth was filled with joy. Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying Jesus, and her words were full of praise and blessing. Even the baby in Elizabeth’s womb, John the Baptist, leaped with joy. This reminds us that when we bring Jesus to others, we also bring joy, peace, and encouragement.
Mary shows us what it means to live with humility and trust. She did not think of herself as too important to serve Elizabeth. She trusted God’s plan for her life, even though it was unexpected and challenging. Mary’s example encourages us to say “yes” to God, even when we feel unsure or unworthy.
The Visitation also teaches us to notice and celebrate God’s blessings in others. Elizabeth praised God for what He was doing in Mary’s life. Sometimes it is easy to focus only on our own struggles and forget to rejoice with others. We are called to encourage and support one another, just as Mary and Elizabeth did.
Reflection Questions:
- How can I follow Mary’s example by serving others with joy and humility?
- Do I bring Jesus to the people I meet through my actions and words?
- How can I better recognize and celebrate God’s blessings in the lives of others?
- What steps can I take to trust God more deeply in my daily life?
USCCB Reflection: Faith and Joy
This video reflection from USCCB for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the faith and joy of Mary and Elizabeth as they praise God and share His love. It encourages us to respond generously to God’s word and spread His good news to others.
Resources for the Visitation
Blessed Bearer: A Lesson Plan on Evangelization
The Blessed Bearer Evangelization Lesson Plan helps youth share their faith by following Mary’s example in the Visitation. Mary brought Jesus to Elizabeth, showing how relationships are key to sharing Christ. This plan teaches youth to bring Christ to friends and family, not strangers, through love and connection. It focuses on simple ways to share faith in everyday life, without being pushy. Youth learn that evangelization is about inviting others to know Christ in a kind and natural way. By deepening their own faith, they can share the joy of Christ and be a “Blessed Bearer” like Mary.
Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary and the Saints? A Lesson Plan
Catholics pray to Mary and the saints because they are part of the mystical body of Christ. All baptized Christians are connected, and we support each other by praying for one another. Just as we ask friends on Earth to pray for us, we can ask saints in heaven to pray to God on our behalf. The Bible shows that the prayers of the righteous are powerful (James 5:16) and that the saints in heaven offer prayers to God (Revelation 8:3-4). Praying to saints is not worship. It is asking for their prayers, just as we would ask a friend.
Say a Rosary
The rosary is a prayer that reflects on the life of Jesus through four sets of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous. These mysteries include events like the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. The Joyful Mysteries, including the Visitation, help us reflect on Mary’s role in bringing Jesus to others.
The rosary invites us to meditate on these moments while reciting prayers. It can be prayed individually or in groups, making it a personal or communal experience. Meditating on the mysteries helps deepen our connection to Jesus and understand His life in a meaningful way.
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Questions and Answers
What date is the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
It is observed annually on May 31.
What are the Mass readings for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
The Mass readings for Saturday May 31, 2025 are:
First Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18a: Rejoice in God’s Love
Alternate First Reading – Romans 12:9-16: Genuine Love in Action
Responsorial Psalm – Isaiah 12: Proclaiming God’s Salvation
Gospel – Luke 1:39-56: The Joyful Encounter
What is the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary about?
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. Both women were expecting babies and shared their happiness.
Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
Mary went to see Elizabeth to share their joy of expecting babies. It shows how family and friends support each other.
What does Elizabeth mean by calling Mary “blessed”?
In the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Elizabeth calls Mary “blessed” because Mary believed in God’s promise. It shows that trusting God is important.
Why does Elizabeth’s baby leap in her womb?
Elizabeth’s baby leaped because he sensed Jesus’ presence. This shows that joy can start even before we are born.
What is the Magnificat?
The Magnificat is Mary’s song of praise. In it, she thanks God for his blessings and help. It teaches us to be thankful.
How can we apply the joy from the readings in our lives?
We can be joyful like Mary and Elizabeth by helping and supporting our friends and family. This makes our relationships stronger.
What does it mean that God is among us in Zephaniah’s reading?
In the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it means God is always with us, helping and loving us. We should feel comforted and joyful because of this.
How can we show that we are grateful like Mary?
We can be grateful by helping others and praising God. This helps spread joy and thankfulness.
A Visit Filled with Joy and Service
The Visitation is when Mary, after hearing the angel’s message, traveled to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was expecting a baby, even though she was older and thought she could not have children. Mary went quickly to help her. This shows her love and care for others.
When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was filled with joy. She called Mary blessed because Mary believed what God promised. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb, John the Baptist, leaped for joy. This shows how special Jesus is, even before He was born.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. She helped her during this important time. Mary also praised God for His blessings in the Magnificat, her song of thanks. The Visitation reminds us to serve others, trust God, and share His joy with everyone.
Your Turn
Take time to learn more about the Visitation. Think about how Mary’s visit shows us the importance of serving others and trusting God. How can you bring joy to others like Mary did?
We invite you to reflect and share. Have you ever helped someone in need or experienced joy in giving? Let us know in the comments. Your story might inspire someone else to do the same!
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