The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What is this feast?

The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary belonging completely to God from her earliest childhood. The feast is very old and comes from Jerusalem, linked to the dedication of a church in honor of Mary near the Temple in the sixth century. The East celebrated this feast very early, and then the Church in the West followed.

The story

The story comes from the Protoevangelium of James, an ancient book from the second century that is not part of the Bible. According to that book, Joachim and Anne had promised to offer to God the child he would give them. When little Mary was three, they brought her to the Temple. The priest welcomed her with joy. Another ancient book adds that she climbed the Temple steps by herself, without looking back; painters often show this scene. Tradition says that she stayed on to serve in the Temple.

We do not know for sure whether these details really happened that way. But the Church keeps this feast because of one thing that is certain: God chose and prepared Mary ahead of time, and she answered with her whole life. On the day the angel came with his message, Mary was ready to say “yes”, because her heart had belonged to God for a long time.

Jesus also praised those who are like Mary: “blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Lk 11:28).

Why does the Church celebrate this feast?

The Church celebrates to thank God for preparing a worthy Mother for his only Son. On this day the Church also prays for religious who live a contemplative life in monasteries, who, like Mary, have given their whole lives to God.

A lesson for you

• Every morning when you wake up, offer your day to God with a short prayer.
• Go to church faithfully, as little Mary gladly climbed the steps to the Temple.
• Pray for the sisters and for young people who are discerning their vocation.