Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lk 1:39-56 Mary set outand traveled to the hill country in hasteto a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariahand greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,the infant leaped in her womb,and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,cried out in a loud voice and said,“Most blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of your womb.And how does this happen to me,that the mother of my Lord should come to me?For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,the infant in my womb leaped for joy.Blessed are you who believedthat what was spoken to you by the Lordwould be fulfilled.”And Mary said: “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 up 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 for ever.”Mary remained with her about three monthsand then returned to her home.