The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Zephaniah 3:14-18 + Luke 1:39-56
May 31, 2016
“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” [Luke 1:42]
In your preparation for today’s feast, you might have turned to the Office of Readings for December 21st, where the Second Reading is from St. Ambrose’s commentary on the Gospel according to Luke. That commentary from the breviary is fleshed out in the Catena Aurea of Saint Thomas Aquinas, translated by Blessed John Henry Newman. From the Catena Aurea St. Ambrose speaks to us about the mystery of the Visitation:
“The Angel, when he announced the hidden mysteries to the Virgin, that he might build up her faith by an example, related to her the conception of a barren woman. When Mary heard it, … she gladly went forth into the hill country.” Continue reading