The Collect for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
“Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth, grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
It is noteworthy that Mary’s first action after discovering her pregnancy with Jesus was not focused on herself. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, her first instinct was to visit her Cousin who would need her help. So also this prayer is not focused on ourselves. We ask to magnify God’s greatness, but we remind ourselves that this requires us to stay faithful to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. And, we ask to do so with the Virgin Mary who is always ready to help us as she was so ready to help Elizabeth.
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
Reflect on how you first respond in the midst of change. Do you immediately become absorbed in your own concerns? How long does it take for you to consider the situation and feelings of others? Pray for the grace to respond to everything with the same kind of love as Mary – a love that is eager to serve God and neighbor. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world today. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend Mass.
