Collects, Epistles and Gospels
for the Proper of Saints
Visitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Collect.
[From Common II of the BVM]
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour into our hearts the abundance
of thy heavenly grace: that like as the child-bearing of the
Blessed Virgin Mary was unto us thy servants the beginning of
salvation, so the devout observance of her visitation may avail
for the increasing of our peace. Through.
For the Epistle. Song of Solomon 2:8-14
8 Behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon
the hills.
9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth
behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself
through the lattice.
10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair
one, and come away.
11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of
birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with
the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.
14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret
places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear
thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
The Gospel. St Luke 9:39-47
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country
with haste, into a city of Judah;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation
of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled
with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art
thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should
come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in
mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance
of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.