Visitation: Mary Visits Elizabeth

Visitation, Mary Visits Elizabeth

The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56) is Mary’s visit, after the Annunciation, to her cousin Elizabeth in Ain Karim. It is the setting of the Magnificat and one of the most theologically rich episodes of Jesus’ infancy. For the full article, see The Visitation.

Elizabeth’s Acclamation

On hearing Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to visit me?” John the Baptist leapt for joy in his mother’s womb. Elizabeth calls Jesus “my Lord” before he is born, one of the earliest acts of faith in the lordship of Christ.

Mary as Missionary

The Visitation is interpreted as Mary’s first missionary act: she brings Christ, whom she has just conceived, to Elizabeth and to John. This gesture is the model of all Christian mission: bringing Christ to others, not with words alone, but with the incarnate presence of love.

Three Months with Elizabeth

Luke notes that Mary “remained with her about three months” (Lk 1:56). This detail reveals Mary as a woman of concrete service: she did not come merely to pay a visit, but stayed to accompany Elizabeth until the birth of John. Mary’s charity is practical and persevering.

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