St. Elizabeth of The Visitation

The kinswoman of the Virgin Mary, Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron and the wife of the priest Zachary (Zechariah). An early source holds that Mary and Elizabeth were first cousins, but they could have been related in some other way, since Scripture merely calls them kinswomen. Elizabeth and her husband were just, with deep reverence for God. They were childless, until the angel Gabriel announced to Zachary (Zechariah) that Elizabeth would have a son, whom they should name John. When Elizabeth was in her sixth month, she was visited by Mary who had just received the news from God that she would bear Jesus. John leapt in his mother’s womb and Elizabeth joyfully greeted Mary as the “mother of my Lord.” (Luke 1:43) John the Baptist was cleansed from original sin while still in his mother’s womb because of this visit, which is known as the Visitation. Elizabeth is not mentioned in the Gospels after the birth and circumcision of John. She has always been revered in the Church. Her feast day is November 5.