The Visitation.

1. Mary's cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for nothing is impossible with God.

2. Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.

3. The journey to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.

4. Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with her the Incarnate Word.

5. At Mary's salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's womb.

6. Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."

7. "How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

8. "Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."

9. Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior."

10. Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist.