By Alicia Santos
On May 31, we celebrate The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The event recalls the beautiful and humble journey of Mary to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously with child. This event, found in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39-56), is a profound moment of faith, service, and joy. Mary, though newly pregnant with Jesus, does not focus on herself—she travels in haste to assist Elizabeth. In this encounter, the Holy Spirit moves powerfully, resulting in Elizabeth’s joyful recognition of Mary as “the mother of my Lord,” and Mary’s own proclamation of the Magnificat, a song of praise that exalts God’s mercy and justice.
As a nation, the Visitation holds deep spiritual and cultural relevance. Mary’s example of selfless service and joyful solidarity mirrors the values Filipinos hold dear: bayanihan (communal unity), hospitality, and deep familial care. The way Mary went out of her way to help another echoes the spirit of countless Filipinos who, in times of need, reach out to one another with generosity—whether through disaster response, community support, or simply looking after neighbors and relatives.
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