Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 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!’
– Luke 1:39-42
Thought for the day
Although she is pregnant herself, Mary travels to visit her older cousin Elizabeth and help her in her pregnancy.
Overseen by Sisters, children who receive an education at the Marialaya Centre in Chennai, India visit elderly people in their neighbourhoods who have no family to look after them. Despite being very poor themselves, some of the children save up their pennies to buy food for the elderly residents.
Sister Nirmala explains:
‘We have elderly people living alone, and their mobility is very bad. We take them food regularly so at least they’ll have one meal a day. We can’t leave them when we see people suffering. How can we close our doors?’
Sr Nirmala’s example is lived out by the children Marialaya supports. Janish, who attends the street school, shares:
‘The Sisters explain how God loves and supports us. They explain that we should do the same for others. Every week we visit the homes of the elderly poor near where we live… we save our pocket money and buy food and groceries for them. The joy we see on their faces makes us happy.’
Watch Janish explain in her own words here:
If we wait until we are in the perfect position, we may never help anyone else; but we can always do something, no matter our starting point.
Pray with Missio
Today we pray the Second Joyful Mystery: the Visitation.
- Our Father,
- 10 Hail Marys (contemplating the mystery),
- Glory be to the Father.