Visitation (Christianity) facts for kids
In Christianity, the Visitation is a special visit. It's when Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. This story is found in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39–56).
The Visitation is also the name of a feast day. This day celebrates Mary's visit. In Western Christianity, it's usually celebrated on May 31. Some places, like Germany and Slovakia, still celebrate it on July 2. In Eastern Christianity, it's celebrated on March 30.
This event is often shown in Christian art. You can see it in art series about the Life of the Virgin or the Life of Christ in art.
The Bible Story of the Visitation
Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth. Both women were expecting babies. Mary was pregnant with Jesus, and Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary left her home in Nazareth right after the Annunciation. She traveled to a city in the "hill country of Judah" (Luke 1:39). This city might have been Hebron or Ein Karem.
The trip from Nazareth to Hebron is about 130 kilometers (80 miles). It would have been a long journey. Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary arrived (Luke 1:36). Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Many people believe Mary stayed until John was born.
Some Christian thinkers believe Mary's visit brought a special blessing to Elizabeth and her unborn child. Even inside his mother, John sensed Jesus' presence. He "leaped for joy" (Luke 1:44). This moment is seen as John being cleansed and filled with a special grace. Elizabeth also felt Jesus' presence and recognized Mary as the mother of her Lord.
Elizabeth said to Mary:
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will have. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
After Elizabeth spoke, Mary responded with a beautiful song. This song is called the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). In it, Mary praises God.
The word "blessed" used for Mary in this story is very special. In Greek, it's "evlogimeni." This word is only used for Mary in the New Testament. It shows how unique and important her role was.
Celebrating the Visitation Feast
Western Christian Celebrations
The Feast of the Visitation focuses on Mary's quick response. She was inspired by the Holy Spirit to help her cousin Elizabeth. It's a story about kindness and service.
This feast day started in the Middle Ages. In 1389, Pope Urban VI added it to the Roman Calendar. He hoped it would help end a big split in the church at that time. It was first celebrated on July 2. This date was chosen because it was right after the celebration of John the Baptist's birthday. John was still in his mother's womb during the Visitation.
Later, in 1969, the date was changed to May 31. This new date makes more sense with the Bible story. It falls between the Annunciation (when Mary learned she would have Jesus, March 25) and John the Baptist's birthday (June 24).
However, some Catholic churches, like in Germany and Slovakia, still celebrate it on July 2. This is often because of old traditions or important pilgrimages. Some Traditionalist Catholics also keep the July 2 date.
In the Catholic Church, the Visitation is the second "Joyful Mystery" when praying the Rosary.
Eastern Christian Celebrations
The celebration of the Visitation in the Eastern Orthodox Church is newer. It only began in the 1800s. A leader named Archimandrite Antonin Kapustin helped start this feast day.
The Gorneye Convent in Jerusalem celebrates this feast on March 30. This convent is built where Mary and Elizabeth are traditionally believed to have met. If March 30 falls during certain holy times, the feast is moved to a different day. Not all Orthodox churches celebrate this feast yet.
In Syriac Christianity, the Visitation is celebrated on the third Sunday before Christmas.
Images for kids
-
This painting shows the Visitation, with a person who paid for the artwork. It's from an altarpiece by Jacques Daret, around 1435.
-
A statue of the Visitation at the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel.
-
An Eastern Christian painting of the Visitation in North Macedonia.
See also
In Spanish: Visitación para niños
