The “Novena for the Feast of the Visitation” is a nine-day prayer dedicated to honoring Mary’s charitable visit to her cousin Elizabeth. This special devotion invites us to meditate on the beautiful encounter between these two holy women and the miraculous presence of Jesus and John the Baptist, already moving within their mothers’ wombs.
The novena seeks Mary’s intercession for our personal intentions while contemplating her humility, joy, and selfless service. We ask Our Lady to visit our hearts as she visited Elizabeth — bringing Jesus into our homes, filling us with the Holy Spirit, and obtaining for us the graces we need.
This novena is traditionally prayed beginning on May 22 and ending on May 30, the eve of the Feast of the Visitation.
The Visitation Novena
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who upon hearing the wondrous news of your divine motherhood, set out in haste to visit your cousin Elizabeth, we come before you today seeking your powerful intercession.
O Mother of God, during your Visitation, you carried the Son of God in your womb, bringing Christ physically to Elizabeth’s home. At the sound of your greeting, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the infant John leaped for joy in her womb, recognizing the presence of his Lord.
In that sacred moment, moved by the Holy Spirit, you proclaimed your Magnificat, praising God for His marvelous works and proclaiming His mercy from generation to generation. Your soul magnified the Lord, and your spirit rejoiced in God your Savior.
We ask you, dear Mother, to visit us as you visited Elizabeth. Bring Jesus to us and help us recognize His presence in our lives. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts so that we, like John, might leap with joy at Christ’s coming. Inspire us to serve others with your same humility and love.
O humble Handmaid of the Lord, teach us to respond generously to God’s will, to journey in faith despite difficulties, to bring Christ to others through our words and actions, and to wait patiently and hopefully for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Here we pause to present our special intentions for this novena…
Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, continue your visitation in the Church and in our world. Obtain healing for the sick, comfort for the sorrowful, hope for the discouraged, and peace for the troubled. Visit our families with your Son’s love and transform our hearts to more closely resemble your own Immaculate Heart.
We thank you for your maternal care and protection. Help us to proclaim with you that the Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is His Name.
Through your powerful intercession, may we receive the graces we seek during this novena, if they be in accordance with God’s will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.