Joyful Mystery #2

The Second Joyful Mystery is usually simply called, in English, The Visitation. The Mystery is simply the episode of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth while both are pregnant. Elizabeth is bearing the future John the Baptist who will leap in her womb with joy at having been released from Original Sin.

As a Feast Day, the Visitation dates to quite late in the Church history. It was only fully inserted into the Roman church calendar in 1389 although the story is clearly relayed in Luke 1:39–56.

The theme is far less explored during the Italian Renaissance than, for example, the Annunciation. Even still, it’s a constant throughout the history of the Church and the West. The most famous examples might be those of Ghirlandaio now in the Louvre, and Raphael in the Prado museum.  Like many of the original monuments on the Calzada de los Misterios, the tezontle reliefs here are badly weathered. Nevertheless, one can make out the two pregnant cousins in the lower left of the picture plane.

Here, the monument stands just north of the Metrobús station Mercado de Beethoven. The market itself is a block to the west along the Calle Mozart. Like much of the neighborhood of Peralvillo, the cross streets are named for historical composers.

One of the original 1675 monuments, this one is a reassuring presence when strolling the Calzada de los Misterios. The walk is pleasant for believers and non-believers alike, and one of the true standouts of the jacaranda season from late January through March each spring.