Saints Elizabeth and Zachariah

Sts. Elizabeth and Zechariah were a married couple who had been trying to have a child for a long time. However, as they grew old, they had lost hope of ever having one. Despite this, they remained faithful and continued to fervently pray for a miracle. Zechariah was a priest who served in the temple located in Jerusalem. One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and revealed to him that his wife, Elizabeth, would soon give birth to a son. Gabriel instructed Zechariah to name the child John. However, despite the angel's message, Zechariah had doubts and asked for a sign to prove that the message was true. As a result of his doubt, he became unable to speak until the day his son was born. When Zechariah finally saw his newborn son, he was filled with joy, and his first words were, "Blessed be the Lord!" (Luke 1:67). Elizabeth's cousin, Mother Mary, had also been visited by the angel Gabriel, who had revealed to her that she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Gabriel had also informed Mary that Elizabeth was expecting a child, even though she was very old. Mary went to visit Elizabeth in order to help her during her pregnancy. As soon as Mary arrived, Elizabeth recognized the blessing that God had given to Mary. She greeted Mary by saying, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42). The words spoken by St. Elizabeth are now a part of the Hail Mary prayer. John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, became a renowned prophet and teacher. He played an important role in preparing the way for Jesus' public ministry. Elizabeth and Zechariah's unwavering faith and devotion to God earned them a place in the canon of saints. Their lives continue to remind us of the power of trust and faith in God. Sts. Elizabeth and Zachariah, despite years of childlessness, your faith was rewarded with the birth of Saint John the Baptist; pray for us to have complete trust in God's will.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Most High Servant,

Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 

(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)