Zechariah and Saint Elizabeth (1st century)

Biography

Saint Luke tells their story in the first chapter of his Gospel, and gives these couples tremendous praise: “They both led a holy life, were righteous before God, and exactly observed all the commandments and precepts of the Lord.” Isabel had the joy of receiving a visit from her cousin, the Virgin Mary, who stayed with her for three months, helping her in the final stages of her pregnancy, since Isabel was already an older woman. She recognized, by the grace of God, immediately the Mother of the Savior and pronounced the words that are repeated millions of times as part of the Hail Mary throughout the world: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” The Blessed Virgin answered Elizabeth with some words that we now call the Magnificat hymn. For his part, Zechariah, after being forgiven for his lack of faith, sang a hymn of praise, called the Benedictus.