The only occasion on which Our Lady is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostle is a very significant one for Catholic faith: Mary was present in the Community which after the Ascension remained together in the upper room and in constant prayer waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Whenever we desire the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual lives, we should take ourselves spiritually to that upper room and in union with Mary and the whole Church engage in serious and fervent prayer.

Liturgically we join Mary today in prayer as we use the words of her Magnificat for our responsorial psalm. Mary conceived Jesus through the special grace and love which God gave her through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Like her Son, Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit would not have abandoned her after the birth of Jesus. The Holy Spirit guided her in her visitation to Elizabeth and in the prayer of praise in which she honoured God, who accepted her lowliness as the beginning of the work of our redemption.