Portal of the world’s Salvation, lo a virgin pure and mild,

Humble-hearted a high in station, form of beauty undefiled,

Crown of the earth’s anticipation, comes the mother-maid with Child.

See in, in flesh so great a wonder by the power of God ordained, –Him,

Whose feet all worlds lay under, In a virgin’s womb contained;

So on earth her bonds to sunder, righteousness from heaven hath rained.

Virgin Sweet, with love o’er flowing, To the Hills in haste she fares;

On a kindred heart bestowing blessing from the joy she bears;

Waiting while with mystic showing time the sacred birth prepares.

What fair joy o’ershone that dwelling, called so great a guest to greet;

What her joy whose love, compelling, found a rest for Mary’s feet,

When, the bliss of time foretelling, lo, the voice and Word did meet!

God most high, the heaven’s foundation, Ruler of eternity;

Jesu, Who for man’s salvation, came in flesh to make us free;

Spirit, moving all creation, evermore be praise to Thee!

The post The Visitation of the Blessed Mother to St. Elizabeth first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #150530b ( 08min) Play – Fr. Joseph on the Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth which the Franciscans of the Immaculate anticipate a day earlier than usual since tomorrow is a Trinity Sunday. Father focuses on the unity of Mary with Jesus, her Son, and the Holy Spirit her Spouse and the blessings that she gives to Elizabeth in her visitation and the beautiful expression of this unity in her canticle, the Magnificat, which she sings in thanks giving to God.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Visitation of Our Lady (Opt 1) – Feast – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: zep 3:14-18
Resp: isa 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Gsp: luk 1:39-56

Audio (MP3)

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The post May 30 – Homily – Fr Joseph M.: The Visitation – Mary, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit first appeared on AirMaria.com.

When the angel revealed his message to the Virgin Mary he gave her a sign to win her trust. He told her of the motherhood of  an old and barren woman to show that God is able to do all that He wills. When she hears this, Mary sets out for the hill country. She does not disbelieve God’s word; she feels no uncertainty over the message or doubt about the sign. She goes eager in purpose, dutiful in conscience, hastening for joy.

Filled with God, where would she hasten but to the heights? The Holy Spirit does not proceed by slow, laborious efforts.  Quickly, too, the blessings of her coming and the Lord’s presence are made clear: as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s  greeting the child leapt in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Notice the contrast and the choice of words. Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice, but John is the first to be aware of grace.  She hears with the ears of the body, but he leaps for joy at the meaning of the mystery. She is aware of Mary’s presence,  but he is aware of the Lord’s: a woman aware of a woman’s presence, the forerunner aware of the pledge of our salvation.

The women speak of the grace they have received while the children are active in secret, unfolding the mystery of love  with the help of their mothers, who prophesy by the spirit of their sons.

St. Ambrose

The post A Meditation on the Visitation first appeared on AirMaria.com.