Homily for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Part of Elizabeth's greeting to Mary, which we hear in our Gospel passage today, has become a part of the Hail Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Elizabeth proclaims Mary blessed because she recognizes that Mary is the mother of the Lord.

She calls Mary blessed because of her faith, saying, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." Because of Mary's faith in God, she became the mother of God's Son. Her faithful answer to God's call confirmed she would become the mother of the Lord.

We are called to imitate Mary's faith, not just in our prayers and worship but in our daily lives. In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul speaks of faith that finds its expression in love. Mary's life and influence guide us to such a faith, a faith that should shape our interactions with others, our decisions, and our priorities as we journey together to God.