Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31
Pregnant with Jesus, Mary travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is expecting John the Baptist. Elizabeth greets her with words that became part of the Hail Mary, and Mary answers with the Magnificat. The feast closes the month of May, devoted to Mary.
On the General Roman Calendar, May 31 is a feast: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Other saints on May 31
- St. Petronilla, virgin (1st century)
Name days on May 31
In countries that keep name days, May 31 is the day for people named Petronilla.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Petronilla | May 31 |
May 31 on the calendar
May 31 is the 151st day of the year (the 152nd in a leap year), with 214 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping May 31
May 31 falls in May, the month of Mary. As a feast, it is kept by the whole Church with its own readings and the Gloria at Mass. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Petronilla, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around May 31
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| May 28 | St. Germanus of Paris |
| May 29 | St. Paul VI |
| May 30 | St. Joan of Arc |
| June 1 | St. Justin Martyr |
| June 2 | Sts. Marcellinus and Peter |
| June 3 | St. Charles Lwanga and Companions |
The day before, May 30, is the day of St. Joan of Arc. The day after, June 1, belongs to St. Justin Martyr. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.