*** *** *** Today we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s joyful visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth speaks the prophetic words…

— “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?'” (Lk 1:41-43)