The Visitation How did Mary get to see Elizabeth?

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irishcolleen45

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Listen to the Gospel today made me wonder how did Mary get to see Elizabeth? She didn’t know before Gabriel told her that Elizabeth was pregnant even though Elizabeth was six months pregnant. I didn’t realize it was about 90 miles away from Nazareth even though I visited the Holy Land in 2016. What would she have said to Joseph so she would get to see Elizabeth?
 
Traveling to see family for extended periods of time was common back then. She would join neighbors heading into Jerusalem, and knock on Elizabeth’s door and maybe stay a few weeks.

Joseph might have had to work, so wouldn’t necessarily join. It was common enough that under ordinary circumstances, he wouldn’t be surprised by a request to see a relative. However, Joseph had a prophetic dream, so would have understood the importance of the meeting.
 
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Thanks but when did Joseph have the prophetic dream? Was this mentioned by a mystic?
 
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Luke is writing of the Good News; he is not a news reporter but rather an evangelist. Thus there are a multitude of details which Luke does not tell us. Likewise Matthew.

Mary was betrothed to Joseph when Gabriel appeared to her. Betrothal is the first part of a two part marriage and Luke does not give us a strict timeline (what came first, second, third) as to when the second part of the marriage occurred; in fact Luke refers to being betrothed to Mary about the time they went for the census - as in, just before the girth.

Matthew, on the other hand, indicates that the second part of the marriage - Joseph taking Mary into his home, occurred some time before the census, but makes no mention of Mary visiting Elizabeth.

So, in short, there is no way to answer your question; it appears Mary visited Elizabeth shortly after she became pregnant, as Elizabeth was in her 6th month.

Meaning, it is not clear as to when exactly she was in Joseph’s home, thus perhaps not needing to ask him if she was not married to him (living in his home).
 
According to various saints Joseph travelled with Mary to Elizabeth’s for safety and well being of Mary his betrothed. They travelled on donkey and walking. Joseph insisted that Mary go on the donkey through rough terrain, otherwise she walked. Mary conversed with angels during the journey and Joseph was blessed to know a little of the blessed experience though he could not see them. I expect Mary spoke with him too.
On arrival Mary greeted Elizabeth and then went inside with her Joseph went with Zechariah and if I recall correctly Joseph stayed for 3 days before asking to return home. I believe this particular account was from Mary of Agreda (Mystical city of God)though I may have mixed it up with Anne Catherine Emmerich too. They both saw it so, though its Mary of Agreda who saw Mary speaking with angels frequently.
 
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Bluebright said:
According to various saints Joseph travelled with Mary to Elizabeth’s for safety and well being of Mary his betrothed.
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Well… Mary would have likely had to have gone with someone, rather than alone. The hill country was known for the presence of bandits.

Whether it was Joseph, though? The Gospel account in Luke doesn’t really tells us, conclusively. And, anything that is “according to various saints” means only that it’s private revelation and not “part of the Deposit of Faith”.
 
Thanks for the info. I realize I don’t need to know this info to believe in the Faith but I just wondered.
 
The dream is actually in the Gospel!
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1
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When your wife is the mother of salvation, you tend to trust that anything she asks is important!
 
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Yes but I thought you meant he found out about Elizabeth in a dream. Thanks
 
It is a reasonable question; I suspect you are not the first to wonder. We simply don’t have information. Merry Christmas!
 
Gorgias said:
And, anything that is “according to various saints” means only that it’s private revelation and not “part of the Deposit of Faith”.
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And it may not even be private revelation; it could simply be speculation.
 
I think it is likely that St Joseph went with her to Elizabeth and Zacharias’ home. In those days, people were on the road a lot. Especially to Jerusalem for the festivals.
 
Bluebright said:
According to various saints Joseph travelled with Mary to Elizabeth’s for safety and well being of Mary his betrothed.
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This is the most common-sense answer. As already mentioned, a male relative would have had to accompany her as it wasn’t safe for her to go alone.
According to the culture of the time, her husband would have been the primary person expected to accompany and protect her. He likely took her to Elizabeth’s house, went home, and returned after 3 months to collect Mary and take her home. While we do not know this for sure, I think there’s a way better than average chance that’s what happened.
 
My original question “was what would Mary have said to Joseph that he would take her to Elizabeth’s home?” It’s not noted in the Gospels her close relationship to Elizabeth but maybe that was the case here.
 
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