The National Marian Mantle Group


"Do whatever He tells you."   Jn 2:5


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The Visitation of Mary
Feast Day May 31
 

Let us ask Mary, who carried the unborn Jesus to the home of Elizabeth, to also bring the Christ Child into our homes and our hearts, and to the homes and hearts of those prodigals we love so much.  Let us ask her to place her mantle of protection over all our children and grandchildren, relatives and friends, from the moment of their conception to their last breath here on Earth.

What is the Feast of the  Visitation?

    The Visitation commemorates Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth to help her during her time of confinement while she was waiting for the birth of John the Baptist. In Scripture, the meeting of these women meeting for the basis for two great prayers of the Church--the Hail Mary and the Magnificat. 
     The feast itself was established sometime during the 13rh-14th century to pray for unity.     The current May 31 date was set in 1969 to follow the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25 and come before the Birthday of John the Baptist on June 24.

The Visitation in Scripture
Luke 1:39-56

     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.  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  And why is this granted me that the mother of my Lord should come to me.  For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. 
     And Mary said,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 will 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.” 
     And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.