The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“Mary set out, proceeding in haste.”

As soon as the angel had visited Mary, she went with haste to her cousin Elizabeth, who herself was expecting a child. And the child to be born, John the Baptist, leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. How marvelous! The all-powerful God chose a child yet to be born to announce his Son’s coming!

In the mystery of the Annunciation and the Visitation, Mary is the very model of the life we should lead. First of all, she welcomed Jesus in her existence; then, she shared what she had received. Every time we receive Holy Communion, Jesus the Word becomes flesh in our life – gift of God who is at one and the same time beautiful, kind, unique. Thus, the first Eucharist was such: Mary’s offering of her Son in her, in whom he had set up the first altar. Mary, the only one who could affirm with absolute confidence, “this is my body”, from that first moment offered her own body, her strength, all her being, to form the Body of Christ.

Our mother the Church raised women to a great honor before the face of God by proclaiming Mary as Mother of the Church.

~ Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), Foundress of the Missionary Sisters of Charity No Greater Love
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Comments

  1. Barb Szyszkiewicz5/31/07, 7:02 PM

    That is a beautiful image of the Visitation! It's how I always picture it, with Mary and her cousin embracing. Thanks for finding and sharing it here.

    ReplyDelete

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