visitation

In the Christian church, a formal visit by a bishop or church official to examine the churches or abbeys within his jurisdiction. In medieval visitations, records were kept of the detecta, matters disclosed to the visitor, and comperta, what the visitor found for himself.

In Christian art, a Visitation depicts the meeting of the Virgin Mary with her pregnant older relative Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56). On this occasion Mary gives voice to the Magnificat.