Saturday 31 May 2008

The Visitation

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Visitation, when Mary, carrying the Lord in her womb, went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was soon to give birth to John the Baptist. This image comes from the Cathedral's Lady Chapel. Mary and Joseph are seen on the left, while Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah, a somewhat older couple, are on the right. Just visible at the foot of the window are the opening words of the song of praise sung by Mary that day: Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exultavit spiritus meus... (My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices...)