When The Lord decides it is time for The Word to be made flesh, the journey begins with Elizabeth. 

Before the Angel Gabriel visits Mary, he announces to Zechariah that Elizabeth will conceive and bear a child who, even in his mother’s womb, will be filled with The Holy Spirit. 

Then, six months later, the Angel Gabriel visits Mary informing her that, with her consent, she will conceive of The Holy Spirit and that the Child will be named Jesus and will be The Son of The Most High. 

Gabriel, who stands before God, is the messenger and on both occasions provides the name to be given to these babies and also, makes very clear, the role of The Holy Spirit in their conception. 

John will be filled with The Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb and The Holy Spirit will come upon Mary and the Power of The Most High will overshadow her. 

It is also Gabriel who unites Mary and Elizabeth, telling Mary that Elizabeth is now in her sixth month. 

Of course, Mary’s first action is to go and help Elizabeth, and when she arrives, The Holy Spirit in John causes him to leap into Elizabeth’s womb as soon as he hears Mary’s voice. 

But, the very first person Gabriel appears to, is Zechariah, saying: “Your prayers have been heard.” 

Those prayers, were for new life to come into the world and so it did, beginning in the womb of St. Elizabeth. 

St. Elizabeth, please pray for us.