We celebrate the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth. Shortly after Gabriel the Archangel visited Mary to announce that she will become the Mother of God, Mary made haste to her cousin Elizabeth who was miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Both women had parallel pregnancies. Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband had also been greeted by Gabriel and was promised that Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, would bear a son. Mary, was told that she would give a virgin birth to the Son of God. Though both pregnancies seemed impossible, the Lord made true to his promises, and salvation came forth. When she hears this Mary sets out for the hill country. She does not disbelieve God’s word; she feels no uncertainty over the message or doubt about the sign. She goes eager in purpose, dutiful in conscience, hastening for joy. The first to speak, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out in a loud voice and utters words which we could only consider prophetic: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1 : 42). The other, Mary, responds to this word of prophecy in her song saying: “All generations will call me blessed” (Lk 1 : 48).