On this day, 21st of November, the Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast recounts the day when Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, Mary’s parents, presented their young child to the Lord in the temple. These events were based on the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of James, or the Protoevangelium of James, written around 200 AD with narratives on the life and virginity of Mary and the birth of Jesus. In the Eastern parts of the world, the tradition of celebrating this feast goes way back to the 8th Century. By 9th Century, monasteries in the West adopted its celebration as well. The Gospel of James recalled that Mary was three years old at the time she was brought to the temple. She remained there to be educated until she was twelve years of age, as part of her future role as the Mother of God.
It is true that right from the start, God had already chosen Mary to be the Holy Mother of Our Lord. But what gives this feast of her Presentation more meaning is the discipleship of her holy parents. For a couple who had been childless for a long time, offering and dedicating their only precious child to the Lord was an act of free will, obedience, and trust to God’s plan of salvation for mankind. This serves as a holy example and inspiration to parents to present their children to the Lord through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Showing the same zeal and devotion as her parents, Mary’s nod of “Yes” or “Amen” was a testament of her faith in the fulfillment of God’s Word with the Incarnation of His Son in her womb. She was the first disciple of Jesus. The life of Our Blessed Mother Mary, from her conception, to her presentation in the temple, to her unwavering presence throughout the life of Jesus, shows us all the holy way of being disciples and following the Lord.
Concluding Prayer
As we venerate
the glorious memory
of the most holy Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray, O Lord,
through her intercession,
that we, too, may merit to receive
from the fullness of your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
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