Ain Karim, the village of the Visitation

Ain Karim (in Hebrew, “spring of the vineyard”) is a village southwest of Jerusalem, identified by Christian tradition as the place where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived, and where Mary went to visit her cousin after the Annunciation. It is the biblical setting of the Visitation.

The biblical event

According to the Gospel of Luke (1:39-56), Mary set out “in haste” for the hill country of Judea. On her arrival, her greeting made Elizabeth exclaim by the power of the Holy Spirit: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” John the Baptist exulted in his mother’s womb. Mary answered with the Magnificat.

Shrines in Ain Karim

Two great Franciscan shrines mark the place: the Church of Saint John the Baptist in the center of the village, and the Church of the Visitation on the hillside. In the latter, tiles bearing the Magnificat in dozens of languages line the outer courtyard, Portuguese among them.

The spirituality of the place

Ain Karim is one of the most contemplative places in the Holy Land. Here Mary remained about three months with Elizabeth, a gesture of charity, but also of spiritual growth. The pilgrim who visits Ain Karim is invited to contemplate Mary as a model of service and of self-giving to one’s neighbor.

Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.

Magisterium of the Church

In diebus illis exsurgens Maria abiit in montanam cum festinatione in civitatem Iuda. Et intravit in domum Zachariae et salutavit Elisabeth.

Luke 1:39-40 (Clementine Vulgate)

📚 Literal translation: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah. And she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.