Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic observance celebrated on May 31. It commemorates the biblical event described in the Gospel of Luke, where the Virgin Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with St. John the Baptist.1

According to the Gospel, upon hearing Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb, which later Catholic doctrine interpreted as John being sanctified and cleansed of original sin. Mary then recited the Magnificat, a hymn of praise. This event is a significant moment in Christian tradition, highlighting the divine nature of both pregnancies and the early recognition of Jesus's and John's roles. The feast was celebrated on July 2 until 1969.12