Feast of the VisitationMay 31 is the Feast of the Visitation, the day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary, having been told at the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel that she had been chosen to bear the Son of God, went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who herself was pregnant with John the Baptist.

The scene is beautiful: As Mary greets her cousin, the baby leaps in Elizabeth’s womb, and Elizabeth cries out in the words that make up the second sentence of the Hail Mary: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” Mary, overflowing with joy herself, responds with the Magnificat, a wondrous canticle (a biblical hymn) extolling the greatness of God and thanking Him for the favor He has shown her.

The Magnificat became part of the official evening prayer of the Catholic Church, and even if, as laymen, we do not celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours, we can still incorporate it into our own evening prayers. What better way to remind ourselves on this feast–and every day–of the joy of the Blessed Virgin in bearing our Savior.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Magníficat
    A alegria da alma do Senhor

    A minh’alma engrandece o Senhor
    e exulta meu espírito em Deus, meu Salvador
    porque olhou para humildade de sua serva,
    doravante as gerações hão decharmar-me de bendita.

    O Poderoso fez em mim maravilhas
    e Santo é o seu nome!
    Seu amor para sempre se estende
    sobre aqueles que o temem;

    manifesta o poder de seu braço,
    dispersa os orgulhosos e soberbos;
    derruba os poderosos de seus tronos
    e eleva os humildes;

    sacia de bens os famintos,
    despede os ricos sem nada.
    Acolhe Israel, seu servidor,
    fiel ao seu amor,

    como havia prometido a nossos pais,
    em favor de Abraão e de seus filhos para sempre.

    Glória ao Pai e ao Filho e ao Espírito Santo,
    como era no princípio,agora e sempre.Amém.

    • Beautiful. Please see your post at ElPadrecito.com
      this is Father Masseo Gonzales, Francisican Conventual Priest website for at-risk Hispanic Youth. I pray your Magnificat will reach someone through the tugging of their heart by the Holy Spirit.

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