Posted on 05/31/2006 7:23:55 AM PDT by Salvation
An Excellent Article on the Visitation from http://www.jesus-passion.com
THE VISITATION OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
THE angel Gabriel, in the mystery of the Annunciation, informed the Mother of God that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived, and was then pregnant with a son who was to be the precursor of the Messiah. The Blessed Virgin out of humility concealed the wonderful dignity to which she was raised by the incarnation of the Son of God in her womb, but, in the transport of her holy joy and gratitude, determined she would go to congratulate the mother of the Baptist. "Mary therefore arose," saith St. Luke, "and with haste went into the hilly country into a city of Judea, and, entering into the house of Zachary, saluted Elizabeth."
What a blessing did the presence of the God-man bring to this house, the first which He honored in His humanity with His visit! But Mary is the instrument and means by which He imparts to it His divine benediction, to show us that she is a channel through which He delights to communicate to us His graces, and to encourage us to ask then of Him through her intercession. At the voice of the Mother of God, but by the power and grace of her divine Son in her womb, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, and the Infant in her womb conceived so, great a joy as to leap and exult.
At the same time, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, and by His infused light she understood the great mystery of the Incarnation which God had wrought in Mary, whom humility prevented from disclosing it even to a Saint, and an intimate friend. In raptures of astonishment, Elizabeth pronounced her blessed above all other women, and cried out, "Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary, hearing her own praise, sunk the lower in the abyss of her nothingness, and in the transport of her humility, and melting in an ecstasy of love and gratitude, burst into that admirable canticle, the Magnificat. Mary stayed with her cousin almost three month after which she re-turned to Nazareth.
REFLECTION —Whilst with the Church we praise God for the mercies and wonders which He wrought in this mystery, we ought to apply ourselves to the imitation of the virtues of which Mary sets us a perfect example.
From her we ought particularly to learn the lessons by which we shall sanctify our visits and conversation, actions which are to so many Christians the sources of innumerable dangers and sins.
THE VISIONS OF BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH ABOUT THE VISITATION
http://www.jesus-passion.com/Visitation_visions_emmerich.pdf
Faith-sharing bump.
Lovely artwork, thanks for posting.
I've always loved the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth.
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Pray for A Voice in the Desert |
Novena to the Holy Spirit Prayers for the Sixth Day
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Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA This action of the Archbishop is not related to any scandal We regret any inconvenience and humbly ask for your prayers. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn |
Great feast today, thank you for posting. When I pray the Visitation mystery of the rosary, I think about her other visitations too, like Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe, etc. And I thank God for sending His handmaid to help us also.
Before the daily noon mass at our church there are usually about 2 or 3 people in line for confession. Today there were at least 15 people in line when I got there and the line kept growing. They had to break for mass and then start the line again after mass. That was good to see.
Break the line for Mass and then continue Confessions?
Wow! Wonder what caused that?
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 121 (122) |
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| Jerusalem, the holy city |
| They filled me with joy when they said, “We will go to the house of the Lord”. Now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city, whole and self-contained: there the tribes have gone up, the tribes of the Lord – the witness of Israel, to praise the Lord’s name. For there are the thrones of justice, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “Safety for those who care for you, peace inside your walls, security within your ramparts!” For my brethren and those near to me I will say “Peace be upon you”. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will call blessings upon you. 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. |
| Psalm 126 (127) |
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| Without the Lord, we labour in vain |
| If the Lord does not build the house, its builders labour in vain. If the Lord does not watch over a city, its workmen guard it in vain. It is vain for you to rise before the dawn and go late to your rest, eating the bread of toil – to those he loves, the Lord gives sleep. The Lord bestows sons as an heirloom, the fruit of the womb as a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior – so are the sons of one’s youth. Happy the man who fills his quiver thus: when he disputes with his enemies at the gate, he will not be the loser. 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. |
| Canticle | Ephesians 1 |
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| God the Saviour | |
| Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in heaven. In love, he chose us before the creation of the world, to be holy and spotless in his sight. He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, simply because it pleased him to do so. This he did for the praise of the glory of his grace, of his free gift of us to his Beloved, in whose blood we have gained redemption, and the forgiveness of our sins. This he did according to the riches of his grace, which he gave us in abundance, with all wisdom and discernment, revealing to us the mysteries of his will, because it pleased him to do so. In this action he has planned, in the fulfilment of time, to bring all things together in Christ, from the heavens and from the earth. 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. |
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| A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here. |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
|---|---|
| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. 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. |
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| Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God. |
| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| A concluding prayer may follow here. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |
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Wednesday, May 31, 2006 Meditation Luke 1:39-56 According to St. Luke, after she said “yes” to the angel’s invitation to bear God’s Son, Mary “arose and went with haste” to Elizabeth’s home (Luke 1:39). Try to imagine what might have been on Mary’s mind as she made this long journey. Think of how she must have rejoiced at all that God was doing in her, even as she entrusted to God all her concerns or fears about the child miraculously growing in her womb. We can look at Mary’s Magnificat—her prayer of praise to the God of the Covenant (Luke 1:46-55)—as the fruit of her reflection during this journey. As Mary reflected on what was taking place, she recognized that all the joy foretold by the Old Testament prophets had come to rest on her. All of Israel’s deepest hopes and desires would find their answer in her child (1:54-55). She marveled that what God was doing through her was intended for all people, not just Israel (1:48). Her whole being was caught up in the God whose greatness was magnified by the lowly vessel he had chosen to accomplish his purposes (1:47-48). Mary knew she was simply a handmaid, and that in her lowliness God’s power was manifested. As she prayed, Mary came to see God’s grace in a whole new way. The Spirit enlightened her mind to understand that God comes to the aid of the poor and humble—to one such as she (Luke 1:52-53). This glimpse of God’s character thrilled Mary and filled her with hope, because in faith she could see that the God of mercy had indeed fulfilled his promises to Israel, his favored one (1:54-55). As you ponder God’s work in history and in your life, take some time today to write your own “Magnificat” of praise to the Lord. Ask the Spirit to fill you with the same love and worship of God that was in Mary’s heart, so that you can join with the whole church in singing the praises of our great God and King. “Blessed Holy Spirit, thank you for your faithfulness to Mary and to the whole church. Strengthen me to entrust my concerns to you as I focus my thoughts on your great mercy and love.” Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16; (Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6 |
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O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
| This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited. |
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 30 (31) |
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| Trustful prayer in time of adversity |
| Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. |
| In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, Turn your ear to me, make haste to rescue me. Be my rampart, my fortification; keep me safe. For you are my strength and my refuge: you will lead me out to the pastures, for your own name’s sake. You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me – for you are my strength. Into your hands I commend my spirit: you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth. 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. |
| Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. |
| Psalm 129 (130) |
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| Out of the depths |
| Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. |
| Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears listen out for the voice of my pleading. If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord – Lord, who would be left? But with you is forgiveness, and for this we revere you. I rely on you, Lord, my spirit relies on your promise; my soul hopes in the Lord, more than the watchman for daybreak. More than the watchman for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is kindness and abundant redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all its transgressions. 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. |
| Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. |
| Reading | Ephesians 4:26-27 |
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| Be angry if you must, but do not sin: do not let your anger outlast the sunset: do not give the Devil his chance. | |
| Short Responsory | ? |
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| Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness, alleluia, alleluia. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia. |
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
|---|---|
| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia. | |
| Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. 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. |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia. | |
| Prayer | |
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| Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you lay a gentle yoke upon those who follow you. Meek and humble, you give them a light burden to carry. Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; and give us rest, to make us more eager to serve you, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
| Final Antiphon | |
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| Queen of Heaven, be joyful, Alleluia. You who were worthy to bear him. Alleluia. He has risen, as he promised. Alleluia. Pray for us to God. Alleluia. |
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Does anyone know why the Church chose May 31st as the day for the visitation?
Thanks.
| Lk 1:39-56 | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 39 | And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. | exsurgens autem Maria in diebus illis abiit in montana cum festinatione in civitatem Iuda |
| 40 | And she entered into the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth. | et intravit in domum Zacchariae et salutavit Elisabeth |
| 41 | And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. | et factum est ut audivit salutationem Mariae Elisabeth exultavit infans in utero eius et repleta est Spiritu Sancto Elisabeth |
| 42 | And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. | et exclamavit voce magna et dixit benedicta tu inter mulieres et benedictus fructus ventris tui |
| 43 | And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? | et unde hoc mihi ut veniat mater Domini mei ad me |
| 44 | For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. | ecce enim ut facta est vox salutationis tuae in auribus meis exultavit in gaudio infans in utero meo |
| 45 | And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. | et beata quae credidit quoniam perficientur ea quae dicta sunt ei a Domino |
| 46 | And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. | et ait Maria magnificat anima mea Dominum |
| 47 | And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. | et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo |
| 46 | And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. | et ait Maria magnificat anima mea Dominum |
| 47 | And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. | et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo |
| 48 | Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. | quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes |
| 49 | Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name. | quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est et sanctum nomen eius |
| 50 | And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. | et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies timentibus eum |
| 51 | He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. | fecit potentiam in brachio suo dispersit superbos mente cordis sui |
| 52 | He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. | deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles |
| 53 | He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. | esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes |
| 54 | He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy. | suscepit Israhel puerum suum memorari misericordiae |
| 55 | As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed for ever. | sicut locutus est ad patres nostros Abraham et semini eius in saecula |
| 56 | And Mary abode with her about three months. And she returned to her own house. | mansit autem Maria cum illa quasi mensibus tribus et reversa est in domum suam |
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