A Visit Between Women of Faith

Today is National Utah Day. It is also the First Ember Days of Summer or Pentecost since it is the first Wednesday following Pentecost Sunday. We aren’t going to talk about either of those days. For today is the Feast of the Visitation of Mary.

What do we know about the relationship between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth? Let’s begin with what we know about Saint Elizabeth. She and her husband, Zacharias, were righteous before God. And yet, like Abraham’s wife, Elizabeth bore no children. We can look at this as part of God’s amazing plan. Elizabeth was to become the mother of the forerunner of the Messiah, the mother of John the Baptist. She was chosen for this role, and John needed to be born at a particular time in the history of Man’s Salvation. Like Joseph, Zacharias was visited by a messenger of God. “But the Angel said unto him, fear not, Zacharias; for thy payer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name John. And thou shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:13-14.

John, while still in his mother’s womb, was to be filled with the Holy Spirit and cleansed of original sin. Unlike Mary, who was conceived without sin, John bore that original sin until he was in the presence of Jesus. Like John, Jesus had yet to be born. Yet he leapt in his mother’s womb, causing Elizabeth to proclaim to Mary, “Blessed art though among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Those words would later be repeated by Catholics throughout the ages as part of the Hail Mary.

Elizabeth was in her eighties when she conceived. An angel came to Mary, to share in the good news that her cousin, a descendant of Aaron, was with child. Mary, herself pregnant, made the 80 mile journey from Nazareth to Hebron. Mary made the journey to be with Elizabeth so that the two women could rejoice at their respective roles in God’s plan. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was probably still in self-imposed seclusion, praising the Lord for the miraculous pregnancy and God’s favor upon her. Clearly the two understood one another in ways no one else could, having accepted their roles in salvation. Being cousins was an added plus.

I consider myself to be blessed in that I come from a large extended family. My mother was one of the youngest of sixteen children. I have cousins from every walk of life, and from nearly all corners of the world. Growing up, some of my fondest memories were the times spend with family. I am particularly close to my cousins, Liz and Mary. We grew up together much the way siblings did. While we don’t see one another as often as we’d like, we remain close.

One of my favorite memories had to be Fridays at their house. While my mother made Fish Sticks, their mother made Salmon Patties. I still love them, and each time make them, I am carried back to those simple days surrounded by family.

Salmon Patties
2 cans Wild Caught Salmon, drained
3 Eggs
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon Horseradish or to taste
2 teaspoons dried Dill
1 teaspoon lemon Pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dried Breadcrumbs
2 Green Onions

Drain salmon, pick over the meat to remove any visible bones. Now the bones are soft, so if you want to leave it in, that’s okay too. Once picked over and inspected, place salmon in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Lightly beat eggs, add to the salmon.

Add lemon juice, horseradish, dill, lemon pepper and salt. Pulse in the breadcrumbs to help bind the salmon into patties. Divide mixture into four even portions. Roll to create a ball, then flatten to create a round patty. Set aside.

Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add just enough oil to light fry the salmon patties. Once hot, cook salmon a few minutes each side.

Serve with tartar sauce if desired, or create salmon burgers for a different kind of fish sandwich.

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Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.