THE FEAST OF THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN AND ST. ELIZABETH (JULY 2ND)

 

The Meeting of St. Elisabeth and the Most Holy Theotokos

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Elisabeth! July 2nd was traditionally the Feast of the Visitation in the Orthodox West, before the Schism. It is now celebrated on May 31st by the Roman Church and on March 30th in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Let us remember how profound and beautiful it is that an unborn child was the first to recognize our Incarnate Lord!

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45 

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” 

COLLECT 

O GOD, who didst lead the Blessed Virgin Mary to visit Elisabeth, to their exceeding joy and comfort: Grant unto us thy people, that as Mary did rejoice to be called the Mother of the Lord, so we may ever rejoice to believe the incarnation of thine only-begotten Son; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.