Three months after the angel's annunciation, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, the elderly wife of Zachary who served as a priest in the temple at Jerusalem. Mary had been told that this couple advanced in age was to have a child, too, "for nothing is impossible with God."

"Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zachary's house and greeted Elizabeth.

"Now when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said,

'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'" (Luke 1:39-45)

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went back home. Finally, six months later, her own Son was born.

The birth of Jesus

Mary, the Mother of Jesus • Mary in Christian Tradition
The Presence of Mary in the Life of St. Paul of the Cross
Marian Prayers • Feasts of Mary
Site Directory • Site Introduction • Links and Other Resources

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