Visitation Novena
Contents
Show HideThe feast of the Visitation is the commemoration of Mary’s visit to St. Elizabeth. We read about the Visitation in the Gospel of Luke. The Visitation of Mary occurred after the Annunciation.
There are many important theological truths we can consider by meditating on the Visitation. You can pray this novena to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Visitation.
About the Visitation
The Visitation of Mary was the occasion on which Our Lady went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. In Luke 1:39-55, we can read the account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.
The Gospel tells us that the archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary, telling her that God wished her to conceive and bear the Savior. After Mary agreed to this mission and said she was the handmaid of the Lord, St. Gabriel told her that her aged cousin Elizabeth was also with child. Elizabeth was six months pregnant with St. John the Baptist.
Elizabeth had suffered from infertility for many years. As she was now advanced in age, her conception of St. John the Baptist was miraculous.
The Gospel of Luke says that Mary went “in haste” to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Despite her own pregnancy, Mary traveled a great distance to go assist her cousin.
The Gospel tells us that when Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s house, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. Even in the womb, St. John the Baptist recognized that he was in the presence of his Savior.
When she felt her child leap in her womb, St. Elizabeth proclaimed the words that are now part of the Hail Mary: “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Elizabeth went on to exclaim, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:43--45).
The Gospel tells us that after Elizabeth spoke these words, Mary proclaimed her Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on all ages will call me blessed.
“The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
“He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
“He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to the promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever” (Luke 1:46-55).
Mary stayed to assist Elizabeth for about three months.
Feast Day of the Visitation: May 31st
Why Pray the Visitation Novena?
You can pray the Visitation Novena if you are preparing to celebrate the feast of the Visitation. You can use this novena to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Visitation.
You can also pray the Visitation Novena if you are seeking to grow in imitation of Our Lady in your life. You can pray this novena to seek her intercession in your life and to work on growing in the virtues she practiced. Or you can use this novena to ask for help cultivating holy friendships in your life, like the bond of friendship between Mary and Elizabeth.
You can pray the Visitation Novena for any intention!
Visitation Novena Prayers
Visitation Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, you selflessly chose to visit St. Elizabeth and to assist her in her time of need. Your Visitation to your cousin Elizabeth shows us holy friendship. We should strive to imitate your example in our lives.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray for holy friendships in our lives.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to advance in holiness and virtue each day. Pray that we may truly strive to imitate you in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, your Son gave you to us to be our mother also. We do not always turn to you as we should or rely on you as your Son wishes, as we journey through our lives. We should do all we can to strive to have a close relationship with you.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in our relationship with you.
Pray for us, that we may always make use of all the helps God gives us for holiness. Pray that we may do all we can to strive to become saints.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, you are an example of perfect virtue and holiness. Though we face many difficulties, temptations, and struggles in our lives, we can remain in the state of grace through all of them by imitating your example.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may imitate your holy example in our lives.
Pray for us, that we may always do whatever is necessary to become holy. Pray that we may serve your Son more perfectly each day of our lives, no matter the cost.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, you did not hesitate to submit yourself to God’s will in your life. After the angel Gabriel told you what God was asking of you, you agreed and then put yourself into God’s service by traveling to visit St. Elizabeth.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in submission to God’s will.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may grow closer to your Son each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your Mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, you thought not of yourself when you traveled in haste to visit your cousin Elizabeth. You traveled to her so that you could be with her and help her in her time of need, showing us an example of charity.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the virtue of charity.
Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness. Pray that we may do all we can to serve your Son worthily.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, your virtuous life on this earth gives us a perfect example to imitate. Your visitation to your cousin Elizabeth gives us an example of true charity, and the Magnificat you proclaimed on that occasion shows us your humility.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the virtue of humility.
Pray for us, that we may advance in holiness and virtue at every opportunity your Son gives us. Pray that we may truly strive to become saints each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, your Son calls each one of us to have faith in Him and in all that He has revealed. The way you responded to the angel’s message to you is a perfect example of faith that we can strive to imitate in our own lives.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the virtue of faith.
Pray for us, that we may grow in our relationship with your Son each day of our lives. Pray that we may do all we can to advance in holiness.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your Mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, the message of the angel Gabriel to you was truly amazing and life-changing. Though you could have remained alone in contemplation of God’s great gift to you, you selflessly chose to travel to your cousin Elizabeth.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in true selflessness.
Pray for us, that we may be your Son’s faithful servants each day of our lives. Pray that we may always be eager to serve your Son in whatever ways He calls us to.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Visitation Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the holy example of our Blessed Mother’s visitation to St. Elizabeth. Please hear the prayers Your mother brings to You on our behalf.
Blessed Mother, we can look to you for an example of every virtue. As you proclaimed your Magnificat at the Visitation in the presence of Elizabeth, you showed that you were truly grateful for all that God was doing for you.
We ask you to bring all of our prayers before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in gratitude to God.
Pray for us, that we may never take for granted the many blessings of God in our lives. Pray that we may do all we can to truly strive to become saints.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.