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Elizabeth of Hebron (mother of John the Baptist)

Theme: Saints, venerable and blessed of the Catholic Church · Page 3 of 5

Reading comfort

GRM 21.6-7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

21.6 The servant, who quite wisely had disappeared when he realised that Elizabeth was not really physically unwell, on the contrary, she was confiding her thoughts to Mary, is now coming back from the orchard with a solemn old man, whose hair and beard are completely white, and who greets Mary from a distance with great gestures and loud guttural sounds.
«Zacharias is arriving,» says Elizabeth, touching the shoulder of Mary, engrossed in prayer. «My Zacharias is dumb. God has punished him because he did not believe. I will tell You later. But now I hope that God will forgive him, because You have come. You, full of Grace.»
Mary rises and goes to meet Zacharias. She stoops to the ground in front of him, kissing the hem of his white robe that reaches down to the ground. It is a very wide robe, held tight to the waist by a large embroidered braid.
Zacharias welcomes Mary by gestures and they both move towards Elizabeth. They all enter a room on the ground floor. It is a wide room, tastefully arranged, where they make Mary sit down and they offer Her some new milk — there is still froth it — and some small pieces of bread.
Elizabeth gives some orders to the maid servant, who has appeared at last, her hands still covered with flour and her hair whiter than usual because of the flour dust on it. Perhaps she was baking bread. She gives orders also to the male servant, whose name I hear is Samuel, and tells him to take Mary’s trunk to a room which she indicates to him. She thus fulfils her duties of a landlady towards her guest.
In the meantime Mary is replying to the questions Zacharias is asking Her, writing them on a wax tablet with a style. From Her answers I understand that he is asking Her about Joseph and Her married life with him. I also understand that Zacharias has been denied all supernatural light about Mary’s state and Her condition of Mother of the Messiah. Elizabeth goes near her husband and laying her hand on his shoulder, in a loving attitude, as if she were caressing him chastely, she says to him: “Also Mary is a mother. Rejoice over Her happiness.” But she does not say anything else. She looks at Mary. And Mary looks at her but does not encourage her to say more and Elizabeth stays silent.
21.7 A sweet, very sweet vision! It obliterates the horror of the sight of Judas’ suicide.

Annotation

Luke 1, 5-25 : In the days of Herod the Great, king of Judea, there was a priest of the Abia tribe named Zacharias. His wife was also a descendant of Aaron; her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous before God: they followed all the commandments and precepts of the Lord blamelessly. They had no children, for Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now, while Zechariah, during the time allotted to the priests of his group, was ministering to God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to go and offer incense in the sanctuary of the Lord. The whole multitude of people were praying outside at the time of the incense offering. The angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. At the sight of the angel, Zacharias was overwhelmed with fear.

The angel said to him: "Fear not, Zechariah, for your supplication has been heard: your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will rejoice and be glad, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. He will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb; he will cause many sons of Israel to return to the Lord their God; he will go before, in the presence of the Lord, with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, to bring back the rebellious to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare for the Lord a people well disposed."

Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How am I to know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

The angel replied: "I am Gabriel, and I stand in the presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But behold, you will be silenced, and until the day it comes true, you will no longer be able to speak, because you have not believed my words; they will be fulfilled in their own time."

The people waited for Zechariah, wondering why he lingered in the sanctuary. When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they understood that, in the sanctuary, he had had a vision. He made signs to them and remained mute. When he had completed his time of liturgical service, he returned home. Some time later, his wife Elisabeth conceived a child. For five months, she kept the secret. She said to herself: "This is what the Lord has done for me, in these days when he has set his eyes to erase what was my shame before men."

Keywords

GRM 22

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The days spent in Hebron. The fruits of Mary's charity towards Elizabeth.

Date of vision and dictation: Sunday, April 2, 1944

Calendar: April of year -5

Location (map): Hebron

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: Mary lives in Hebron. Elisabeth arrives near her and talks about their respective maternities. Zechariah's wife is no longer in pain now that the Virgin is here, but before that she suffered greatly because of her old age. Mary, by comparison, does not suffer, but she does not have the weight of the Fault.

Elizabeth wants to spin clothes for John the Baptist, but Mary says she will do the work for him. The Virgin argues that she has all the time in the world and that she will think of her cousin first, since the Precursor's birth is imminent. Then she'll think of her child, Jesus.

It is at this point that the Immaculate Conception reveals the name of her Son to Elizabeth, and reveals to her her anguish. Mary knows the prophets, and already senses that Jesus will be the Lamb, the Man of Sorrows. Nevertheless, Elizabeth consoles her, saying that God will be with her, and that her child will be loved for ever and ever.

The two women then speak of Zechariah, who is mute. This is a great sorrow for his wife. She hopes that when the child is born, he will be able to speak again. The blessed mother would like her son to be called John, and she reveals her suffering to her cousin. To take her mind off it, Mary suggests they go outside, and they find themselves near a small flock of lambs.

The vision changes; this time, time has passed. Mary leaves for Elizabeth. They talk about Jesus and his appearance. Then they talk about Joseph, and Mary reveals that she has left it to God to intervene. Apart from Elizabeth, no one must know of her divine maternity, and Elizabeth, who understands, points out that she has even told Zechariah. He enters and Mary says the prayers. She urges the priest to believe in God's mercy, for the man believes he will never be able to speak again.

Finally, Mary gives a lesson on charity, on making God's gifts grow within us. We must always be charitable, not selfish. She also gives us a lesson about the passage of time: God is its master, and he helps those who hope in him. "Selfishness advances nothing, it delays everything. Charity doesn't delay anything, it advances things". Finally, the Mother points out that she found much peace in Elizabeth's home, and that if she had not been tormented by the thought of Joseph and her Son, Redeemer of the world, she would have been happy. But Mary means both light and bitterness...

Chapter contents: 22.1: Mary sews for Elisabeth's child. 22.2: Elisabeth feels much better since Mary's visit. 22.3: Mary is moved by the thought of Isaiah's Man of Sorrows. 22.4: Elisabeth is distressed by Zechariah's silence. 22.5: A walk in the garden among the doves, kids and lambs. 22.6: Mary spins and weaves. 22.7: She imagines what her child will be like. 22.8: God reveals the mystery to Joseph. 22.9: Zechariah speaks again. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. 22.10: Love of neighbor. 22.11: My love of neighbor and my love of God. 22.12: Charity advances the realization of things. 22.13: Bitterness mixed with sweetness.

Keywords

GRM 22.1-5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

22.1 It is morning. I see Mary sewing, sitting in the room on the ground floor. Elizabeth is going to and fro, busy with the housework. And when she comes into Mary’s room, she never fails to go and caress Her fair head, which looks even more fair against the rather dark walls and in the beautiful sun rays that enter through the door open onto the garden.
Elizabeth bends down to look at Mary’s work — the embroidery She had in Nazareth — and she praises its beauty.
«I have also some linen to spin,» says Mary.
«For your Child?»
«No. I had it already when I never thought…» Mary does not say anything else. But I understand: «…when I never thought I was to be the Mother of God.»
«But now You will have to use it for Him. Is it good? Fine? Children, You know, need very soft material.»
«I know.»
«I had begun… Late, because I wanted to be sure that it was not a deception of the Evil One. Although… I felt such a joy within me, that it could not possibly come from Satan. After… I suffered so much. I am old, Mary, really old, to be in this state.
22.2 I suffered so much. Don’t You suffer…»
«No. I don’t. I have never been so well.»
«Of course. Quite right. You… there is no stain in You, as God chose You for His Mother. And that is why You are not subject to Eve’s sufferings. The One You bear is holy.»
«I feel as if I had a wing in My heart and not a burden. I seem to have within Me all the flowers and all the birds that sing in springtime, and all the honey and all the sunshine… Oh! I am so happy!»
«Blessed Mary! Neither do I any longer feel burden, tiredness or pain, since I saw You. I seem to be new, young, freed from the miseries of woman’s flesh. My child, after leaping happily at the sound of Your voice, is now quiet in his joy. And I seem to have him, in me, as in a living cradle, and I see him sleeping satisfied and happy, breathing like a little bird under the wing of its mother…
22.3 I will now start working. He will no longer be a weight. I cannot see very well, but…»
«Never mind, Elizabeth. I will see to the spinning and weaving both for you and for your baby. I am quick and My sight is very good.»
«But you will have to see to Your…»
«Oh! There will be plenty time!… First I will take care of you, since you are going to have your baby very shortly, and later I will see to My Jesus.»
It is beyond human possibility to tell you how sweet are Mary’s expressions and voice, how bright Her eyes are with sweet happy tears, and how She smiles in pronouncing that Name, looking at the clear blue sky. She seems to be enraptured simply saying: «Jesus».
Elizabeth exclaims: «What a beautiful name! The name of the Son of God, of Our Redeemer!»
«Oh! Elizabeth!» Mary becomes sad and She seizes the hands of Her relative who had laid them across her enlarged abdomen. «Tell Me, since you were illuminated by the Spirit of the Lord, when I came here, and you prophesied what the world does not know, tell Me: what will My Creature have to suffer to save the world? The Prophets… Oh! What do the Prophets say of the Saviour? Isaiah… Do you remember Isaiah? “He is the Man of sorrows. Through His wounds we are healed. He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. Yahweh has been pleased to crush Him with suffering. After being condemned He was lifted up…” What lifting is he referring to? They call Him the Lamb and I cannot help thinking of the lamb of the Passover, of the lamb of Moses, and I associate it with the serpent elevated by Moses on a cross. Elizabeth! ay…Elizabeth!…What will they do to My Creature? What will He have to suffer to save the world?» Mary is crying.
Elizabeth comforts Her. «Mary, don’t cry. He is Your Son, but He is also the Son of God. God will see to His Son, and will look after You, His Mother. And if so many will be cruel to Him, so many will love Him. So many!… Forever and ever. The world will look at Your Son and will bless You with Him. They will bless You, for You are the Spring from which redemption gushes out. The destiny of Your Son! He will be raised to the rank of King of the whole creation. Just think of that, Mary. King, because He will redeem the whole creation, and as such, He will be universal King. And He will be loved also in the world, in its lifetime. My son will precede Yours and will love Him. The angel told Zacharias. And he wrote it down for me…
22.4 How painful it is to see him dumb, my Zacharias! But I hope that when the baby is born also the father will be freed from his punishment. Will You pray, too, since You are the Seat of the Power of God and the Cause of delight in the world. To obtain this grace I make my offers to the Lord, as best I can. I offer my creature: because it belongs to Him, as He lent it to His servant to grant her the joy of being called “mother”. It is the testimony of what God has done for me. I want his name to be “John”. Isn’t my son a grace? And didn’t God grant me it?»
«And God, I am sure, will grant you the grace. I will pray… with you.»
«I suffer so much seeing him dumb!…» Elizabeth is crying. «When he writes, as he can no longer speak to me, there seem to be mountains and oceans between me and my Zacharias. After so many years of sweet conversation, now there is nothing but silence from his mouth. And particularly now, when it would be so nice to talk about him who is about to come. I even refrain from speaking to avoid seeing him getting strained in his efforts to reply to me by gestures. I have cried so much! How much did I long for You! The people of the village watch, talk and criticise. Such is the world. But when one has a pain or a joy, one needs to be understood, not criticised. But now my life seems completely improved. I feel a joy in me since You came here. I feel that my test is about to end and that I shall soon be completely happy. I am right, am I not? I have resigned myself to everything. But if God would only forgive my husband! If I could only hear him pray once again!»
22.5 Mary caresses and comforts her and in order to divert her attention, she invites her to take a little walk in the sunny garden.
They walk under a well cultivated pergola, as far as a little rustic tower, in the holes of which doves have nested.
Mary scatters the birdseed laughing, because the doves have rushed on Her, cooing loudly and flapping noisily, forming iridescent circles around Her. They alight on Her head, shoulders, arms and on Her hands, stretching their rosy beaks to snatch the grains from Her hands, gracefully pecking the Virgin’s rosy lips and Her teeth that shine in the sun. Mary takes the golden corn from a little sack and She laughs in the middle of that game of intrusive greed.
«How fond they are of You!» points out Elizabeth. «You have only been here a few days and they love You more than me, although I have always taken care of them.»
They continue walking until they reach an enclosure, at the end of the orchard, where there are about twenty goats with their little kids.
«Have you come back from the pasture?» Mary asks a little shepherd, caressing him.
«Yes, because my father said to me: “Go home, because it is going to rain shortly and there are some sheep about to lamb. Make sure they have dry grass and litter”. There he is, he is coming.» And he points to the wood, whence a continual trembling bleating can be heard.
Mary caresses a little kid, as fair as a child, which rubs itself against Her, and together with Elizabeth She drinks some new milk that the little shepherd offers them.
Then the sheep arrive led by a shepherd as hairy as a bear. But he is obviously a good man because he is carrying a groaning sheep on his shoulders. He puts her down gently and explains: «She is about to lamb. She can only walk with difficulty. I put her on my shoulders and I hurried all the way to get here in time.» The sheep, still limping painfully, is led into the fold by the boy.
Mary is sitting on a stone and is playing with the little kids and the lambs, offering clover flowers to their pretty rosy little faces. A black and white kid puts its little hooves on Her shoulder and smells Her hair. «It is not bread,» says Mary laughing. «I will bring you some crumbs tomorrow. Be good, now.»
Once again cheerful, Elizabeth also laughs.

Keywords

GRM 22.6-9

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

22.6 I see Mary Who is spinning very quickly under the pergola, where the grapes are growing bigger and bigger. Some time must have elapsed because the apples are beginning to redden on the trees and the bees are humming near the fig flowers already mature.
Elizabeth is now quite stout, and she is walking heavily. Mary looks at her carefully and lovingly. Also Mary’s sides appear more round when She gets up to pick up the spindle which has fallen far away from Her. The expression on Her face has changed. It is more mature; before She was a girl, now She is a woman.
The women go into the house because it is now getting dark, and the lamps are lit in the room. While waiting for supper, Mary begins to weave.
«Do You never get tired?» asks Elizabeth, pointing to the loom.
«No, you can be sure of that.»
«I am exhausted by this heat. I have not suffered any longer, but now the weight is too heavy for my old kidneys.»
«Take courage. You will soon be free. How happy you will then be.
22.7 I am longing to be a mother. My Child! My Jesus! What will He be like?»
«As beautiful as You are, Mary.»
«Oh no! More beautiful! He is God. I am His maid. What I meant is, will He be fair or dark? Will His eyes be like a clear sky, or like the eyes of a mountain deer? I imagine Him more beautiful than a cherub, with golden curly hair, His eyes the same colour as the Sea of Galilee when the stars begin to peep on the horizon, His tiny little mouth as red as a pomegranate that bursts when it matures in the sun, and His cheeks as pink as this pale rose, with two little hands that could be contained in the hollow of a lily, they are so small and tiny, and two tiny feet that I can hold in the hollow of My hand, so soft and smooth, even more so than the petal of a flower. See. The idea I have of Him is taken from all the beautiful things that nature suggests to Me. And I can hear His voice. When He cries — because My Child will cry a little when He is hungry or sleepy, and it will always be a great pain for His Mummy Whose heart will be pierced every time She hears Him cry — when He cries, His voice will be like the bleating that now comes from a little lamb, only a few hours old, when it seeks its mother’s breast, and her warm maternal fleece to sleep. When He laughs — and My heart in love with my Creature will then be full of Heaven, for I can be in love with Him, because He is My God, and it will not be against My consecrated virginity to love Him as a lover — His voice when He laughs will be like the merry cooing of a happy little dove which is full and content in its cosy little nest. And I think of Him when He is taking His first steps… a little bird hopping on a flowery meadow. The meadow will be His Mother’s heart, it will be laid under His tiny pink feet with all Her love, so that He may not tread on anything that may hurt Him. Oh, how I will love My Child! My Son!
22.8 Also Joseph will love Him.»
«But You will have to tell Joseph.»
Mary’s face darkens, and She sighs. «Yes, I will have to tell him… I wish Heaven would tell him, because it is so difficult to tell.»
«Shall I tell him? We will ask him to come for John’s circumcision…»
«No. I have entrusted God with the task of informing him of his happy destiny of putative father of the Son of God, and He will do so. The Spirit said to Me that evening: ‘Be silent. Entrust Me with the task of justifying You’. And He will do so. God never lies. It is a great trial, but with the help of the Eternal Father, it will be overcome. No one must learn from My mouth what the goodness of the Lord has done. Certainly you are the exception, because the Spirit revealed it to you.»
«I have not mentioned it to anybody, not even to Zacharias who would have been very happy. He thinks you are a mother according to nature.»
«I know. And I decided that out of prudence. The secrets of God are holy. The angel of the Lord did not reveal My divine maternity to Zacharias. He could have done so, if God had wanted, because God knew that the time for the Incarnation of His Word in Me was already imminent. But God hid this joyful light from Zacharias, who rejected your late maternity as something impossible. I have complied with the will of God, as you have seen. You perceived the secret living in Me. He did not perceive anything. Until the screen of his incredulity does not fall before the power of God, he will be separated from supernatural lights.»
Elizabeth sighs and turns silent.
22.9 Zacharias comes in. He offers some parchment rolls to Mary. It is the hour of prayer before supper. Mary prays in a loud voice instead of Zacharias. Then they settle down at the table.
«When You are no longer with us, how we shall regret having no longer anyone to pray for us,» says Elizabeth, looking at her dumb husband.
«You will pray then, Zacharias,» says Mary.
He shakes his head and writes: «I will never be able to pray again for other people. I became unworthy when I doubted of my God.»
«Zacharias, you will pray. God forgives.»
The old man wipes a tear and sighs.
After supper, Mary goes back to the loom.
«That’s enough!» says Elizabeth. «You will become too tired.»
«Your time is approaching, Elizabeth. I want to prepare for your child clothes worthy of him who will precede the King of the House of David.»
Zacharias writes: «Of whom will He be born? And where?»
Mary replies: «Where the Prophets said, and of whom the Eternal Father will choose. Whatever our Most High Lord does, is well done.»
Zacharias writes: «Well, in Bethlehem then! In Judah. We shall go and worship Him, woman. And You will come to Bethlehem, too, with Joseph.»
And Mary, bowing Her head over the loom says: «I will come.»
The vision ends thus.

Keywords

GRM 22.10-11

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

22.10 Mary says:
«The first charity towards our neighbours is to be exerted towards our neighbours. This must not seem a pun to you. There is charity towards God and charity towards our neighbours. Charity towards our neighbours comprises also charity towards ourselves. But if we love ourselves more than our neighbours, we are no longer charitable, we are selfish. Also in lawful matters, we must be so holy as to always give priority to the needs of our neighbour. Be sure, My children, that God provides for the generous by means of His power and His bounty.
22.11 It was this certainty that led Me to Hebron to assist My relative in her condition. And to My eagerness for human help, God, giving beyond measure as He is wont, added an unforeseen gift of supernatural assistance. I went to give material help and God sanctified My good intention by sanctifying, through it, the fruit of Elizabeth’s womb, and by means of that sanctification, by which the Baptist was presanctified, He relieved the physical pain of the elderly daughter of Eve, who had conceived at an unusual age.
Elizabeth, a woman of fearless faith and confident submission to God’s will, deserved to understand the mystery that was enclosed within Me. The Spirit spoke to her through the bouncing in her womb. The Baptist pronounced his first speech, as the Announcer of the Word, through the veils and the diaphgrams of veins and flesh that separated and united him at the same time to his holy mother.
Neither did I deny My prerogative of being the Mother of the Lord, because she was worthy of the information and the Light had revealed Itself to her. To deny it would have meant denying God the praise that it was just should be given to Him, the praise that I bore in Me, and which, since I could not tell anyone, I repeated to the grass, to the flowers, to the stars, to the sun, to the singing birds and the patient sheep, to the warbling waters, to the golden light that kissed Me descending from Heaven. But it is sweeter to pray together rather than say our prayers by ourselves. I would have liked all the world to know of My destiny, not for My own sake, but that they might join Me in praising My Lord.
Prudence forbade me to reveal the truth to Zacharias. That would have implied going beyond the work of God. And if I was His Spouse and Mother, I was still His servant, and I could not take the liberty of substituting Him and exceeding Him in a decree, simply because He had loved Me beyond measure.
Elizabeth in her holiness understood, and was silent. Because a holy person is always submissive and humble.»

Keywords

GRM 23

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Birth of John the Baptist. All suffering subsides in Mary's womb.

Date of vision and dictation: Monday, April 3, 1944 (Holy Monday)

Calendar: Thursday, July 4, year -5

Location (map): Hebron

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: Mary and Elizabeth stroll through Zachariah's house. They walk slowly and Mary is attentive to everything. Caring for her relative, she goes to help Sarah, the servant, then invites Elizabeth to walk a little further. They go to see the doves, and Elizabeth is moved by their affection for her. Her condition makes her fear death and worry for her husband and child. Mary reassures her that all will be well, and invites her to trust in God. As Elizabeth's suffering returns, they return home. The work of the Precursor's mother begins. Mary comforts Zacharias and prays with the old man. When he falls asleep (it's the middle of the night), she takes care of him and continues her prayer.

Elizabeth calls the Virgin and asks her to place her hand on her immaculate womb. Mary soothes her, tells her to trust in God, and tells her that Jesus is there. When her cousin has calmed down, she leaves. Zachariah is still asleep. The Immaculate prays intensely, until the old priest wakes up. But John is still not born.

Mary continues to pray, and soon dawn breaks. A little later, to the great joy of both parents, John is born. Zacharias receives the child, and Mary brings him back to his mother. The baby calmed down as soon as he was on Mary's breast. Elizabeth asks her if Zacharias can speak, but unfortunately he cannot. The Virgin tells her to hope again in the Lord...

After the vision, the Full of Grace gives dictation to Maria and explains that, while she was preserved from the Fault and the pains of childbirth, her spiritual motherhood was nonetheless filled with suffering. Mary then invites us to always come to her, for she is the eternal bearer of Jesus. She prays unceasingly for us and for our salvation.

Chapter contents: 23.1: A vision of peace in the midst of dark hours. 23.2: Mary helps Elisabeth and Sarah in the garden. 23.3: She reassures an Elisabeth who is afraid of dying. 23.4: She watches over everything in the house. 23.5: Ailing Elisabeth calls her to her bedside. 23.6: She returns to reassure Zechariah. 23.7: Zechariah is nervous, Mary prays. 23.8: The boy is brought to the father. Mary brings him back to the mother. 23.9: The heartbreak of Mary's spiritual childbirth. 23.10: Come to me, the eternal bearer of Jesus.

Keywords

GRM 23.2-4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

23.2 We are still in Elizabeth’s house. It is a beautiful summer evening, still clear in the last rays of the sun, and yet the sky is already decorated with a falcated moon that looks like a silver comma attached to a large deep blue cloth.
The rose-bushes let off strong perfume and the bees, like humming gold drops, are making their last flights in the quiet warm evening air. From the meadows, there is a strong smell of hay dried in the sun, it is almost like that of bread, of warm bread, just taken out of the oven. Perhaps it comes also from the many sheets hanging everywhere to dry, and which Sarah is now folding.
Mary is walking with Her cousin, linking arms with her. They go up and down very slowly, under the semi-dark pergola.
But Mary watches everything and, while taking care of Elizabeth, She sees that Sarah is in difficulty folding a long sheet which she has taken off a hedge. «Sit down here, and wait for me», She says to her relative. And She goes to help the old servant, pulling the sheet to straighten it, and then folding it carefully. «They still smell of sun, they are warm», She says with a smile. And to make the old lady happy, She adds: «This sheet, after your bleaching, has become as beautiful as ever. You are the only one who knows how to do things so well.» Sarah goes away, overjoyed, with her load of scented sheets.
Mary goes back to Elizabeth and says: «Let us take a few more steps. They will do you good.» And as Elizabeth is tired, and does not wish to move, Mary says to her: «Let us go only to see if your doves are all in their nests, and if the water in their tub is clear. We shall then go back home.»
23.3 Doves must be the favourite pets of Elizabeth. When they are in front of the rustic tower where all the doves are gathered, Elizabeth is deeply moved; in fact the hens are in the nests and the cocks are in front of them, but neither of them move, instead they all start cooing loudly when they see the two women: a gentle form of greeting. Elizabeth is overcome by the weakness of her condition and by fears that make her cry. She expresses her fears to her cousin. «If I should die… what will happen to my poor little doves? You will not be staying here. If You were to remain in my house, it would not matter if I died. I have had the greatest joy a woman can possibly have. The joy which I was no longer expecting to have, and I cannot even complain of death with the Lord, because He has overwhelmed me with His benignity, may He be blessed for it. But there is Zacharias… and then there will be the child. An old man who would feel as though he were lost in a desert without his woman. And the other is so small, that he would be like a flower, condemned to die of cold because he is without his mother. Poor baby, without the caresses of his mother!…»
«But why are you so sad? God has given you the joy of being a mother, and He will not take it away from you when it is full. Little John will receive all the kisses of his mummy, and Zacharias all the attentions of his faithful wife until the very end of his long life. You are two branches of the same tree. One will not die, leaving the other alone.»
«You are good, and You comfort me. But I am so old to have a son. And now that I am about to have one, I am afraid.»
«Oh! No! Jesus is here. We must not be afraid where Jesus is. My Child relieved your pain, you said that yourself, when He was just a newly formed bud. Now that He is becoming more and more mature, and He already lives as My Creature — I can feel in My throat the beating of His little heart, and I feel as if a little nestling with a light pulsating heart were resting on My throat — He will remove all dangers from you. You must have faith.»
«I have. But if I should die… don’t leave Zacharias straightaway. I know that You are concerned with Your own house. But please remain here a little longer to help my husband in his first days of sorrow.»
«I shall stay to take delight in your joy and in the joy of your husband, and I will leave you when you are strong and happy. But now be quiet, Elizabeth. Everything will be alright. Nothing will happen to your household while you are suffering. Zacharias will be served by the most loving maid, your flowers will be looked after, and your doves will be attended to, and you will find them all beautiful and happy to rejoice with, when their beloved mistress comes back.
23.4 Let us go in now, because you are getting pale…»
«Yes, I think I am beginning to suffer again. Perhaps my time has come. Mary, pray for me.»
«I will support you with My prayer until your labour ends in joy.»
The two women slowly go back into the house. Elizabeth withdraws to her rooms. Mary, a capable and provident woman, gives the necessary instructions, prepares everything that may be necessary, and at the same time, She comforts Zacharias who is worried.

Keywords

GRM 23.5-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

23.5 Sarah comes in and invites Her to go out. Mary goes out barefooted into the garden. «My mistress wants You,» she says.
«I am coming.» And Mary walks along the house, goes upstairs… She looks like a white angel, wandering in the peaceful starry night. She goes into Elizabeth’s room.
«Oh! Mary! Mary! What pain! I can’t stand it any longer, Mary! How much pain one must suffer to be a mother!»
Mary caresses her lovingly, and kisses her.
«Mary! Mary! Let me put my hands on Your bosom!»
Mary takes the two wrinkled and swollen hands, and lays them on Her round abdomen, pressing them tightly with Her smooth, slender little hands. And She speaks in a low voice, now that they are alone: «Jesus is here, and He hears and sees you. Have faith, Elizabeth. His holy heart is beating more strongly because He is acting for your good. I can feel it throbbing as though I were holding it in My hands. And I understand the words that My Child says to Me. He is now saying: ‘Tell the woman not to be afraid. Only a little more pain. And then, with the first rays of the sun, among the many roses awaiting the morning’s rays to open out on their stems, her house will have the most beautiful rose, and it will be John, My Predecessor’.»
Elizabeth now also presses her face against Mary’s bosom, and weeps gently.
Mary stands for some time in that position because the pain seems to ease giving a moments relief. And she beckons everybody to be quiet. She remains standing, beautiful and white in the pale, faint light of an oil lamp, like an angel near a person who suffers. She is praying. I can see Her moving Her lips. But even if I did not see them move, I would understand that She is praying from the enraptured expression on Her face.
23.6 Some time goes by, and Elizabeth is in labour once again. Mary kisses her again, and goes out.

Keywords

GRM 23.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«He is born! He is born! It’s a boy! Happy father! A boy as beautiful as a rose, as beautiful as the sun, as strong and good as his mother! Joy for you, father, blessed by the Lord Who gave you a son that you may offer him to the Temple! Glory to God, Who has granted posterity to this house! Blessed are you, and your son who was born to you! May his offspring perpetuate your name for centuries, from generation to generation, and may his descendants always be in union with the Eternal Lord.»
Mary blesses the Lord weeping for joy. Then the two receive the little one, who has been brought to the father, so that he may bless him. Zacharias does not go to Elizabeth. He receives the child, who is screaming desperately, but he does not go to his wife.
Mary instead goes, carrying with love the little one, who turns quiet, as soon as She takes him in Her arms. The woman who is following Her notices this, and she says to Elizabeth: «Woman, your child turned quiet immediately, when She took him. Look how peacefully he is sleeping, and only Heaven knows how restless and strong he is. But look now! He seems a little dove.»
Mary lays the creature near his mother and caresses her, tidying up her grey hair. «The rose is born», She whispers in a low voice, «and you are alive. Zacharias is happy.»
«Does he speak?»
«Not yet. But hope in the Lord. Rest now. I am staying with you.»

Keywords

GRM 24

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Circumcision of John the Baptist. Mary is a source of grace for those who welcome the Light.

Date of vision: Tuesday, April 4, 1944 (Holy Tuesday).

Date of dictation: Tuesday, April 4, 1944. On a typed copy, Maria Valtorta notes: "The Blessed Virgin Mary dictated these words on Holy Wednesday."

Calendar: Friday, July 12, year -5

Location (map): Hebron

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: It's John's circumcision. Zachariah's house is crowded. They talk about the child's name, and want to give him his father's name, but Elisabeth is adamant: his name will be John. Zechariah's opinion is sought, and he writes that his name will indeed be John, "God is gracious". His tongue loosens and he says his hymn. Elizabeth is overjoyed. The circumcision takes place, and the little one calms down in the Virgin's arms. Zechariah goes to her and asks her forgiveness for not recognizing her, even though she is pregnant with the Savior. He blesses her, and the Immaculate replies that all praise must go to God. The Immaculate also asks him to pray for her, for if being the mother of the Savior is a blessed destiny, being the mother of the Redeemer must be a destiny of excruciating suffering.

In the dictation that follows, Mary explains that God forgives those who recognize their fault and repent. She invites us to rid our souls of all that weighs them down, and to welcome God's Light. The Virgin goes on to explain that those who possess God, who have God's friendship, are never alone, for even if this does not take away our suffering, He gives us light and caresses that lighten our cross. We must also know how to thank the Most High for his graces.

Finally, the Immaculate explains that we make her suffer a lot, because we reject grace. When she gives the dictation, Good Friday is approaching, so she invites us to pray in the words of her Son on the Cross. Finally, she reminds Maria that, while she sees her joys, her suffering has always grown exponentially, until she receives her dead Son in her arms.

Chapter contents: 24.1: The house in celebration. 24.2: The name. The miracle. The Benedictus. 24.3: Only Mary can soothe little John's pain on his return from circumcision. 24.4: Zacharias, now able to speak again, prostrates himself before Mary. 24.5: Mary asks for his prayers for the Coredemptrix she will become. 24.6: God forgives the repentant. 24.7: He makes pain sweet in its bitterness. 24.8: The pain of seeing an enemy of Jesus. 24.9: The mystery of Good Friday. 24.10: An ever-increasing pain.