July 2

The Feast of the Visitation

St. Elizabeth greets her cousin the Virgin Mary A Detail from Chartres Cathedral, France

The Visitation is the hour Mary had received the message from an angel that she was to be the Mother of the Son of God. She cannot fully understand that great grace and has no one to whom she can pour out her bursting heart. She goes into the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was favored with a somewhat similar blessing. Divinely enlightened, Elizabeth greeted and received Mary as the Mother of her God. Now Mary can no longer restrain the lofty emotions within her soul; she gives vent to a heart overflowing with gratitude. She prays the Magnificat. She thanks God for the great dignity that has come to her and for the redemption that it brings to men. The Visitation is the Second Mystery of the Rosary and we pray for the virtue of Charity towards our neighbors.

The Magnificat Prayer My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm: He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent empty away. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen The Magnifcat very early found its place in the liturgy; already in the fourth century it formed part of the Office, and one tradition credits St. Benedict for having introduced it into Vespers. Prayer Source: Church's Year of Grace, Volumes 1-5 by Dr. Pius Parsch, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1964 Listen to Bach's Magnificat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlKcMJwcgq4

Mary's Flower:

Edelweiss Leontopodium alp. Religious Meaning - Purity Ave Maria!