The Visitation
The Visitation is the second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. Mary travels to see Elizabeth, who recognizes her as the mother of the Lord. Elizabeth's greeting gives us words that appear in the Hail Mary.
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Scripture
Luke 1:39-42
Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
Spiritual fruit: love of neighbor
A journey made in love
After the Annunciation, Mary travels to visit Elizabeth. Both women are expecting children, and both have received a promise whose fulfillment rests in God. Luke describes Mary's arrival, Elizabeth's greeting, and the child John leaping in his mother's womb. Elizabeth welcomes Mary into her home, and their greeting becomes a proclamation of what God has done.
The Gospel account continues through Luke 1:56. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of her Lord. Mary answers with the Magnificat, praising God for his mercy and faithfulness. Her song remembers what God has done for his people and rejoices that he regards the lowly. Reading the whole encounter before the decade helps us hear both Elizabeth's blessing and Mary's response.
The fruit of love of neighbor
The second Joyful Mystery invites us to ask for charity. Mary carries Jesus to Elizabeth, and her presence becomes a blessing. Her journey prompts us to remember people who would welcome our company, especially someone who seldom receives a visitor. Someone who is housebound may depend on visitors for much of their contact with other people.
Elizabeth also teaches us how to receive another person's joy. She blesses Mary without envy. Friendship can become a place where God's gifts are recognized and encouraged. Someone else's good news can stir mixed feelings when our own hopes are unfulfilled. Elizabeth's welcome gives us a way to pray about that difficulty and to thank God for the gifts he has given our friends.
Staying with the mystery
The Hail Mary recalls Elizabeth's blessing and names the child Mary carries. This gives the familiar words a particular closeness to the Visitation. In the Magnificat that follows their greeting, Mary gives thanks for what God has done for her.