Mary Visitation

The visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth is called the Visitation of Mary.

When the archangel Gabriel visits Mary, she learns that her aging cousin Elizabeth is also having a son. Everyone thought Elizabeth couldn't have children, but she is already six months pregnant.

Soon after, Mary travelled to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah live. The moment Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby in her womb leaped for joy. Elizabeth said to Mary, "You are blessed more than all other women. And blessed also is the child you will bear. Elizabeth also said that the Mother of the Lord had come to visit her and that she considered it a great honour.

Maria stays with Elisabeth for three months and then returns home. Elisabeth gives birth to a son, who is named John.

The above is taken from the Gospel of Luke.

Elisabeth's son later becomes John the Baptist.

The Gospel of Luke does not mention Mary's outward and return journey. It is presumed that Mary did not make the journey alone, but with a caravan. A young woman travelling alone for days is highly risky, with all sorts of dangers from bandits and strange individuals.

The annual feast day of the Visitation of Mary is 31 May.

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