Fruit of the Mystery: Love of neighbour

Mary learns that her cousin Elizabeth is also expecting a child, who will be the prophet John the Baptist. She travels to see her cousin.

Luke 1:39-45 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'

The Magnificat

In response to Elizabeth's greeting, Mary responds with a hymn proclaiming the greatness of the Lord (Luke 1:46-55), that is now sung daily in the Church's Evening Prayer.

My soul glorifies the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
Henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
And scatters the proud hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
And raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
Sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son 
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, 
and ever shall be, world without end. 
AMEN

The Window

Elizabeth and her husband, dressed in olive green clothes, stand at the door of their house, welcoming with outstretched arms the figure of Mary, who is rushing up the steps.

The scroll in the bottom light reads: Benedicta tu inter mulieres et benedictus fructus ventris tui (blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb), the greeting of Elizabeth which is now part of the Hail Mary.

The inscription at the foot of the window reads: Orate pro animabus Elizabeth Broe quae obiit die 28a Aprilis 1909 et Georgina sororis suae quae obiit (Pray for the souls of Elizabeth Broe who died 18th April 1909 and her sister Georgina who also died).

The Rosary
First Joyful Mystery
Third Joyful Mystery