The Blessed Virgin Mary's visit to Her cousin St. Elizabeth was one of the most magnificent events in the story of the salvation of man when we meditate deeply on it. Careful not to leave any stone unturned, there were many events in Mary's visitation that must not be overlooked. Though some of these events are not physically visible, they were clear manifestations of indisputable facts about the personality of Mary and her undeniable connection with the Blessed Trinity.

Let us first look at Mary's virtue of ardent charity with regards to her visit to Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel, during the message of the incarnation, communicated to Mary that Her cousin Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy in her old age. (Luke 1:36) Mary, on receiving this message, got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea to see Elizabeth, and she stayed with her for three months. The fact that Elizabeth was in her sixth months of pregnancy and Mary stayed with her for three months is an indication that Mary left for Elizabeth's home as soon as she got the message from the angel. As this visit was made at the onset of Mary's own pregnancy, it is a clear indication of selflessness and an act of putting others first before oneself.   

Mary Visited Elizabeth with the entire Heaven

In my meditation, I visualized the entire heaven making that journey with Mary. If the journey had taken place before the incarnation, it could be that Mary would make the trip with only her guardian angel, or, possibly, with Joseph or other close relatives and their invisible guardian angels. In this case, as the incarnation had taken place, Mary had in her womb, Jesus, the Son of God, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity. As this Triune God is inseparable, it is clearly understandable that the Blessed Virgin Mary, having the Son of God in her womb, was accompanied on the journey by the Blessed Trinity. Evidently, as far as our faith is concerned, where the Blessed Trinity is, myriads of angels, if not the entire angelic forces in heaven, would be. Could you imagine the multitude of angels trooping after and around Mary as she goes to the house of Elizabeth, carrying her creator, the King of Glory, the King and Creator of heaven and earth and the Universe in her womb. 

Mary and the fulness of the Holy Spirit

Jesus promises to the Apostles, the coming of the Holy Spirit, but over three decades before that, Mary transmitted the Holy Spirit to Elizabeth by her presence and by her mere salutation to Elizabeth. "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." (Luke 1:41-42) It must not surprise anyone why this magnificent phenomenon occurred. Mary conceived, became pregnant with Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. By implication, Mary becomes the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Spouses accompany each other to important visits. Though invisible in the eyes of mortals, the presence of the Holy Spirit with Mary at Elizabeth's home was clearly evident, as He, the Paraclete, manifested His presence in the transformative effect it produces in Elizabeth's soul. Mary, as her espousal with the Holy Spirit is perpetual, still communicates the fulness of the Holy Spirit to every soul that welcomes her or invites her to his/her soul.

When Mary brings the Holy Spirit to a Soul

In the epistle of John, we are counselled to test the spirits to ensure they are from God. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) In compliance with this advice, it becomes so dangerous to open ourselves to everything that comes our way or are introduced to us in form of the spirit of God. As difficult as it can be to discern the spirit that is truly of God, why not go to Her, Mary Mother of God, who is the spouse of the Holy Spirit? Like in the case of Elizabeth, when Mary introduces the Holy Spirit to a soul, the effect is ever unmistakable. Everything in the person's body and spirit, including the child in the womb, meaning all the gifts, aspirations, thoughts, prospects and the soul's general interior life, as in the case of John de Baptist, are vitalized and sanctified. Many unseen things are made known to the soul as in the case of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth exclaimed in a loud voice: "Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:42) As all these interactions was taking place when Mary was still stepping into Elizabeth's home and only made a salutation, since there were no telephones then, line or mobile, you would agree with me that Mary had neither communicated to Elizabeth that she was pregnant nor that the baby she had in her womb was the Son of God, hence Elizabeth's second proclamation; "Why am I so favoured that the mother of my Lord should come to me." (Luke 1:43) Mary's visit to Elizabeth brought joy of the Holy Spirit, immense blessings and unimaginable transformation to Elizabeth's soul. May we open our hearts to embrace the maternal love of the most Holy Virgin, Mary Mother of God.