By Br. Stephen J., MIC
In mid-April, the Marian Superior General, the Very Rev. Fr. Andrzej Pakula, MIC, arrived from Rome to conduct a “general visitation” of our American province. During this six-week “visitation” (a normal process which occurs every three years), Father General — the head of our 500-strong worldwide Congregation — came in person to every single Marian house in the United States, met with each member individually, and assessed the state of each house and of the province as a whole. In each place, he issued a written “protocol,” giving his evaluation and some instructions and recommendations for the house.
The goal of this formal “visitation” is to strengthen the interior dedication and external works of the whole Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province. Therefore, the Superior General seeks to discover the province’s strengths and weaknesses in every area of religious life, to communicate them, and to improve upon them.
It is a time of grace, of reform, and of renewal.
During the general visitation this year, I pondered many times the second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary: The Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, which we celebrate in a special way on its feast day, May 31.
A journey in haste
There are few formalities in this mystery. Mary journeys in haste to her cousin’s house, unexpected and unannounced. If we were thinking in human terms, it might seem that she wanted proof of the angel Gabriel’s announcement that Elizabeth was now six months pregnant. However, the assent of faith settled deeper in Mary than in any other human person, and so she would have required no proof. Rather, she ran to help, and not only with the physical burden of bearing a child (which might have been greater for the aged Elizabeth). Mary’s mission was inspired by the Holy Spirit, Who wished to reveal the Savior even before His birth to the privileged family of the Virgin.
And so, she went in haste.
When Mary entered Zechariah’s house, she would have greeted Elizabeth simply, with the reverence due an older woman. Now that she had become the Spouse of the Holy Spirit and Mother of the Word Incarnate, however, all of Mary’s words and actions bore a special supernatural stamp. Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth thus becomes a revelation of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Her words of greeting brought the Holy Spirit down upon Elizabeth and upon John the Baptist in her womb.
And what an effect it had! John the Baptist was completely cleansed of original sin and sanctified in the womb at that moment, while his mother was filled with the Holy Spirit. The infant John immediately leaped for joy, and Elizabeth replied spontaneously: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). With the true vision that the Holy Spirit gives, she can recognize “the mother of [her] Lord” (Lk 1:43), and she is filled with awe at the sight of God’s wonders before her. Her tongue also tells true, and she is the first recorded person to call Mary the “blessed … mother of my Lord.”
This word “blessed” comes to Mary like a special revelation of her sublime calling. As the Holy Spirit used her greeting to fill Elizabeth’s soul with joy, He returns through Elizabeth’s word to confirm Mary’s consciousness of her place in the divine plan. Realizing the unique, unrepeatable gift she has received to become the Mother of God, Mary’s heart wells up in that superlative song of praise that we know as the Magnificat. She declares: “All generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me” (Lk 1:48-49).
Singular focus on God
The Magnificat is an inexhaustibly rich canticle of praise, and entire books could be written plumbing the depths of meaning contained in it. Here I would just like to mention one thing: The entire song is focused on God. Mary’s greatness is that she places all trust, all credit, and all praise in God’s hands. “He … has done great things … He has shown strength … He has filled the hungry … He has helped his servant Israel” (Lk 1:49, 51, 53, 54). All achievement is His.
The Visitation of Mary is a time of grace and renewal for her family. Think of this: On the very first day, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and John the Baptist is sanctified in her womb. Imagine the immense spiritual fruit of Mary and the unborn Jesus remaining in their house for the three whole months before John’s birth. During this time, her spirit of praise and thanksgiving appears to have affected Zechariah as well as Elizabeth. Although he had been struck dumb by an angel for his disobedience, his first words after the birth of his son are a canticle blessing God, later called the Benedictus. His canticle and Our Lady’s are recorded side by side in Luke’s Gospel, and the Church prays both every day: Zechariah’s Benedictus in the morning, and Mary’s Magnificat in the evening.
Here are a few different ways you could make this Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary a special day:
- Take time to read and pray Mary’s Magnificat with devotion.
- Try to compose a special prayer of your own, praising God and giving thanks to Him.
- If you feel the Lord calling you to go out in haste and serve your neighbor, a family member, or a friend — a visitation, if you like — do it with the spirit of praise embodied in Mary’s prayer.
- Greet fellow Catholics and all people with a smile of joy, and silently ask the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts today.
- Finally, ask God to send His Blessed Mother to help you today, that it may be a time of grace and renewal in your heart and your home.
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