The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

(LUKE 1:39-56)

by Mrs. Mary Catabui, O.P.

In the October issue of our magazine, we shared the first in a series of rosary meditations beginning with the First Joyful Mystery. We continue now with the second Joyful Mystery. When praying the second joyful mystery, The Visitation, think of the joyful appreciation found in the hearts of these two pregnant cousins. Elizabeth who had conceived in her old age and Mary, who conceived just recently. Elizabeth was so grateful that Mary came to be with her, staying until she had delivered her son, John. It was only by Divine intervention that either woman should be pregnant at all. Mary wasn’t yet married and Elizabeth was beyond child-bearing years. In All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, there is a big picture of The Visitation. It is so beautiful. Elizabeth and Mary hugged each other. The colors are rich, and the features of their faces show tremendous joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit burst out, “At your greeting, the baby in my womb leapt with joy. Blessed are you, Mary, for believing all that was said by the angel.” Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, recited what is referred to as the Magnificat, Latin for “[My soul] magnifies [the Lord”: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” (Luke 1:46–55)

As Mary finished, she and Elizabeth felt such great gratitude. Just imagine what peace they had in their pregnancies. For several months Mary worked to make Elizabeth light-hearted but busy. These two women were ages apart but they had a partnership between them. Elizabeth carried the precursor of God made man, which Mary was carrying--Jesus, the Son of God.

Short Meditation:

“According to Jewish custom, Elizabeth ‘secluded herself for five months,’ and Zachary had been struck dumb for his doubting! The secret was, gratifyingly, all theirs. So they thought, until Mary came from Nazareth to congratulate them. But Mary’s own secret must be given in exchange. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth cried out, ‘Why should I be honored with a visit from the Mother of my Lord?’

By the light of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth knew that Jesus was in Mary. Like Elizabeth, I can develop the habit of seeing Christ in my neighbor, a vital part of true Christian living. Prayerful devotion to the Holy Spirit, ‘the Spirit of Jesus,’ is the key.”

Father Peyton Rosary Book, Et. al. page 92