Feast of the Visitation

(The Visitation by artist Bradi-Barth)

These two. Fast friends and comrades, co conspirators, if you will, of the secret of our salvation. Our Lady and Elizabeth.

This is hands down my favorite feast of Mary. There are more glorious ones, I know. The Assumption is my second favorite in that regard. But this one? It's lovely beyond measure to me.

It comes at the very end of May, like a book end to St. Joseph the Worker at the very beginning.

And in between those feasts is Our Lady working, traveling, baking bread, following Jesus through towns, taking on all the joys and sorrows given her by the Father and weaving the beauty that was her life on earth, just like we each weave our own.

The wonderful thing is that this life unfolding in the month of May is protected by her husband and best friend Joseph on one end and is girded at the other with the consolation of a kindred soul in Elizabeth. As if God were saying to us through Mary: "Take care of one another. Be each others peace. The road is hard."

If you look closely at Our Lady in this picture, you will see that her head is resting on Elizabeth's. The sheer relief of finally getting to Elizabeth and finding that all the Angel said was true. You can feel it when you look at her face closely: pure peace. But more than that. The sheer need she had of a gentle touch, a motherly shoulder to lean on, and someone who knew what was happening without having to explain. She is so at rest here. Elizabeth was her gift.

I don't think it is heresy to say that Mary needed Elizabeth as we all need our own Elizabeths in life. Elizabeth even reassured her that Joseph was going to understand when she got home. Elizabeth accompanied her to the next stage of her journey, and then the love and faith of Joseph accompanied her on the next stage when she returned.

I find it so beautiful that Our Lady, in addition to being the greatest of friends, needed friends in return to fulfill the will of God. She was never alone. And she was so grateful for them as this picture shows me. It makes her more lovely to me than ever. And it also makes Elizabeth more lovely. Oh, to be the comfort and rest for the Mother of God. Awe. I am glad she is one of my Patron Saints.

Friends. How important they are, especially now. They don't need to do much. Just be there, sharing some beautiful thoughts, sharing a cup of coffee, accompanying you on the journey. That is why I love this feast. It is God's blessing on friendship.

We do not travel alone.