# The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)

This passage narrates Mary’s journey, shortly after the Annunciation, to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was expecting John the Baptist. It is one of the most beautiful episodes in the Gospel of Infancy: the meeting of two mothers and two unborn children, the recognition of the Messiah, and the singing of the Magnificat. This encounter also gives rise to the second part of the Hail Mary prayer. This guide explains the text and its significance.

## The Text (Luke 1:39-45)

“In those days, Mary arose and went hastily into the hill country, to a city of Judah. She entered Elizabeth’s house and greeted her. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she exclaimed loudly: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How has it come that the mother of my Lord should come to visit me?’… ‘Happy indeed is she who believed,’ for ‘what was spoken to her by the Lord’ will be fulfilled.”

## Mary, the New Ark of the Covenant

Elizabeth’s words – “How has it come that the mother of my Lord should come to visit me?” – echo David’s words before the Ark of the Covenant: “How shall I come to the ark?” (2 Samuel 6:9). Mary, who carries the Lord in her womb, is thus presented as the new Ark that brings God’s presence. John Baptist’s leap in his mother’s womb evokes David’s dance before the Ark: the precursor exults at the one who is about to come.

## Elizabeth’s Confession of Faith

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth proclaims three things that have the value of a true confession of faith:

– **”Blessed are you among women”** – praise for Mary’s unique blessing, words that, along with the angel’s greeting, form the Hail Mary prayer.
– **”The mother of my Lord”** – the first recognition in the Gospel of Mary as Mother of the Lord, the biblical root of the title Theotokos.
– **”Happy indeed is she who believed”** – Mary is proclaimed blessed not first for her motherhood but for her faith, paralleling her “yes” at the Annunciation.

## Continuity and Progress

The Visitation is the direct consequence of the Annunciation: Mary goes to Elizabeth to verify the sign given by the angel (Luke 1:36), and above all, to bring the good news of salvation and the Lord’s presence. What the angel announced privately is now confirmed and proclaimed loudly by Elizabeth, under the influence of the Spirit. The scene culminates in the Magnificat, where Mary returns all glory to God.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### When is the Visitation celebrated?

The Visitation is celebrated on May 31st, marking the end of Mary’s month.

### Does the Hail Mary come from the Visitation?

Yes, in part: “Blessed is the fruit of your womb” are Elizabeth’s words from the Visitation, combined with the angel’s greeting at the Annunciation.

### Why did John Baptist leap in his mother’s womb?

It is the precursor’s expression of joy at recognizing the presence of the Messiah – an echo of the joy over the Ark of the Covenant.