Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then
she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is
the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to
me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon
as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my
womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will
be a fulfillment of those things which were told
her from the Lord.
And
Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my
Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold,
henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty
has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on
those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength
with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away
empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."
An
Mary remained with her about three months,
and returned to her house.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
by Maurice Denis