EASTER DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

FEAST OF THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Saturday after Ascension)

Celebration of the day 

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast is celebrated between the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the birth of St. John the Baptist, in conformity with the gospel accounts. The Visitation is the encounter between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist. Mary's "Magnificat" is another testimony of her humility and greatness before God. Her readiness to serve Elizabeth is a good lesson on fraternal charity.

Table of the Word

First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14–18a or Romans 12:9–16

Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2–3, 4bcd, 5–6 

Gospel: Luke 1:39–56

Theme: My soul glorifies the Lord.

Reflection

Today, we celebrate one of the most joyful feasts in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: the Visitation, when she traveled in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously with child. The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is one of grace meeting grace, of promise meeting promise.

In the Gospel perivope, Evangelist Luke gives an account of how Mary’s greeting causes the child in Elizabeth’s womb (John the Baptist)  to leap for joy. (cf. Luke 1:39–56)  Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spiritrecognizes Mary’s unique role and proclaims:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Mary’s response is the Magnificat, a song of praise that reveals the depth of her faith and the radical humility with which she accepts God’s will. She does not seek recognition, but gives all glory to God:

 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”

In the light of this great feast, let us reflect on the spiritual lessons from our Lady's Visitation:

1. Service in love: Though Mary has just received the greatest news of her life, she doesn’t isolate or focus solely on herself. She goes in haste to help someone in need. True faith leads us outward in service.

2. Joy in the Spirit: The encounter between these two women is marked by Spirit-filled joy. It reminds us that when we carry Christ within us — spiritually as Mary did physically — we become bearers of joy to others.

3. Humility and Praise: Mary’s Magnificat turns all praise to God. Her greatness lies not in personal ambition, but in her surrender. Her joy is found in God's greatness, not her own.

Finally, let us as Childrennof Mary put on the cloak of service in love, humility and above all exhibit the virtue of joy in spirit so as to join our Mither Mary to see the great "Magnificat."

+ May the Lord bless His words in our hearts both now and forevermore. Amen 

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