Belief in the assumption of Mary into heaven comes from the early tradition of the Church rather than the scriptures. The gospel selected, therefore, is of another event in the life of Mary, her visit to Elizabeth in the hill country of Judah, believed to be the village of Ein-Karim just 3 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Word of Elizabeth’s pregnancy had reached relatives in Nazareth some 80 miles to the north in Galilee. Luke doesn’t mention the problematic situation of Mary’s pregnancy as does Matthew (Mt. 1:18-25), but we can imagine the gossip in the “fishbowl” of Nazareth, a small Jewish town of perhaps 250 people, where everyone presumed to know her situation of being pregnant prior to the wedding. It would have been a welcome opportunity for Mary to get out of town and spend some peaceful months with Elizabeth. Word was undoubtedly communicated to Elizabeth of Mary’s upcoming visit, thus her awareness of Mary’s situation as she arrives. Mary remained with Elizabeth for three months, the first trimester of her own pregnancy and the final third for Elizabeth. One can imagine these two women of great faith sharing conversation and prayer in those months. The “Magnificat,” Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s greeting, is a beautiful combination of personal humility while being aware of her important role in God’s plan.