Attend Mass
The feast of the Visitation is celebrated on the same day in both the old calendar and new calendar.
If you would like to attend a traditional Mass for the feast, find a Traditional Latin Mass near you (click here to explore).
Bring flowers to a marian shrine
It is a pious tradition to bring flower to a shrine or grotto of Our Lady on her feasts.
The rose symbolizes Mary herself (she is known as the “Mystical Rose”—see Litany of Loreto) and is described in Dante’s Paradiso when the guide asks him to contemplate Mary, “Why are so enamored of my face that you do not turn your gaze to the beautiful garden which blossoms under the radiance of Christ? There is the Rose in which the Divine Word became flesh: here are the lilies whose perfume guides you in the right ways.”
Do something kind and charitable for a neighbor
In the Rosary, the mystery of the Visitation is connected to the virtue of fraternal charity. In commemoration of this great feast and this great episode in the life of Mary and Jesus, find an opportunity to do something charitable for a neighbor.
Pray the Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat; and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. Amen.
Pray the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin, or the Litany of Loreto
Lord, have mercy on us. (Christ have mercy on us.)
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. (Christ graciously hear us.)
God, the Father of heaven, (have mercy on us.)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.)
God the Holy Ghost, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Trinity, one God, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Mary,*
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary.
Queen of the family,
Queen of Peace,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us O Lord.)
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. (That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.)
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
*”Pray for us.”
—
Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Introductory Prayer
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle within them the fire of Thy love!
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit dost instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us by this same Spirit to relish what is right and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
I. Crown of Excellence
To honor the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin, her ineffable Virginity, her purity without stain and her innumerable virtues.
1. Our Father, Hail Mary.
Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Lord, the Creator of the world; thou didst give birth to Him Who made thee, and remainest a Virgin forever.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
2. Hail Mary.
O holy and immaculate Virgin, I know not with what praise to extol thee, since thou didst bear in thy womb the very One Whom the Heavens cannot contain.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
3. Hail Mary.
Thou are all fair, O Virgin Mary, and there is no stain in thee. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
4. Hail Mary.
Thy virtues, O Virgin, surpass the stars in number.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
Glory be to the Father.
II. Crown of Power
To honor the royalty of the Blessed Virgin, her magnificence, her universal mediation and the strength of her rule.
5. Our Father, Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee, O Empress of the world! Bring us with thee to the joys of Heaven.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
6. Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee, O treasure house of the Lord’s graces! Grant us a share in thy riches.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
7. Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee, O Mediatrix between God and man!Through thee may the Almighty be favorable to us. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
8. Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee who destroyest heresies and crushest demons! Be thou our loving guide. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
Glory be to the Father.
III. Crown of Goodness
To honor the mercy of the Blessed Virgin toward sinners, the poor, the just and the dying.
9. Our Father, Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee, O refuge of sinners! Intercede for us with God.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
10. Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee, O Mother of orphans! Render the Almighty favorable to us.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
11. Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee, O joy of the just! Lead us with thee to the joys of Heaven.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
12. Hail Mary.
Glory be to thee who are ever ready to assist us in lifeand death! Lead us with thee to the kingdom of Heaven!
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; Rejoice a thousand times!
Glory be to the Father.
Concluding Prayer
Let Us Pray.
Hail, Mary, Daughter of God the Father; Hail, Mary, Mother of God the Son; Hail, Mary, Spouse of the Holy Ghost; Hail, Mary, Temple of the most Holy Trinity; Hail, Mary, my Mistress, my treasure, my joy, Queen of my heart; my Mother, my life, my sweetness, my dearest hope —- yea, my heart and my soul! I am all thine and all that I have is Thine, O Virgin blessed above all things! Let thy soul be in me to magnify the Lord; let thy spirit be in me to rejoice in God. Set thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon my heart, that in thee and through thee I may be found faithful to God. Receive me, O gracious Virgin, among those whom thou lovest and teachest, whom thou leadest, nourishest and protectest as thy children. Grant that for love of thee I may despise all earthly consolations and ever cling to those of Heaven until, through thee, His faithful spouse, Jesus Christ thy Son be formed in me for the glory of the Father.
Amen.