The visit of Mary to her cousin St. Elizabeth
took place a short time after the Annunciation. It
had been suggested to her by the Angel's message,
telling her that Elizabeth was to bear a son. St.
Joseph knew nothing of this, yet he raised no
objection to the journey. He had already conceived
such a reverence for his spotless spouse, that
it was enough for him that she entertain a wish.
He knew that she never asked on impulse, or without
a due cause, and so when Mary asked his leave
to visit her cousin, he at once consented. So we
should consult, as far as possible, the wishes of
others, seeking to conform our will to others in the
spirit of charity.
St. Joseph would not allow his young wife to
take the journey alone. He went with her as her
escort. What a happiness for him to wait upon
her! How tenderly he watches over her! How
thoughtfully he sees to all her wants! Men often
idealize those they love, but there was no need to
idealize Mary. She was an ideal in herself. And
when he approached her, Joseph somehow felt that
he was drawing near to God, and that God dwelt
in her in some other way than by His graces and
gifts.
Arrived at their journey's end, St. Joseph in
his humility saw to their material needs, and did
not hear the words of Elizabeth saluting Mary as
Mother of God, and announcing the joy of her
unborn babe at His presence. St. Joseph was
ignorant and remained in ignorance of the mystery
of the Incarnation. He had to wait; that was to
be the law of his life, as it is of the lives of all
who are very dear to God.