21 November
Memorial

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, through this Memorial, we are reminded of our own Baptism when we are presented to God by our parents and receive our ‘commission’ in faith. Together with the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, and the Assumption, we perceive a perfect picture of discipleship, and we honour Mary for her example. — Archdiocese of Bombay


COLLECT 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.


Things to Do:

  • Meditate on the mystery of Mary’s temporary dwelling in the sanctuary of the Old Covenant as a preparation for the approaching season of Advent.
  • Read about the Presentation of Mary at Vatican News.
  • See the Presentation of Mary altar and painting in St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • Learn more about Mary in the Byzantine Liturgy and say one of the beautiful prayers of the Eastern liturgy in honor of Mary.

Source: Catholic Culture


Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast honoring her presentation in the temple when she was a young child. The tradition was celebrated as early as the 8th century in the East and later, adopted by the West. The inspiration comes to us from a story in the Protoevangelium of James.  It is based on an ancient tradition that says Mary was taken to the temple in Jerusalem when she was 3-years-old and dedicated to God. What we celebrate on this day is the fact that God chose to dwell in Mary in a very special way. In response, Mary placed her whole self at the service of God

Religious parents never fail by devout prayer to consecrate their children to the divine service and love, both before and after their birth. Some amongst the Jews, not content with this general consecration of their children, offered them to God in their infancy, by the hands of the priests in the temple, to be lodged in apartments belonging to the temple, and brought up in attending the priests and Levites in the sacred ministry. It is an ancient tradition, that the Blessed Virgin Mary was thus solemnly offered to God in the temple in her infancy

Mary was the first who set up the standard of virginity; and, by consecrating it by a perpetual vow to our Lord, she opened the way to all virgins who have since followed her example. They, in particular, ought to take her for their special patroness, and, as her life was the most perfect model of their state, they ought always to have her example before their eyes, and imitate her in prayer, humility, modesty, silence, and retirement.

Mary lived retired until she was introduced into the world and espoused to St. Joseph.

Her first presentation to God, made by the hands of her parents and by her own devotion, was then an offering most acceptable in his sight. Let our consecration of ourselves to God be made under her patronage, and assisted by her powerful intercession and the union of her merits.

Every moment since your Baptism, God invites you to be open to his grace and dedicate yourself to him, as Mary did.

Source: EWTN