The celebration of Mary’s presentation in Jerusalem dates back to the sixth century, marked by the construction of a dedicated church. This event held greater significance within the Eastern Church and later emerged in the Western Church in the 11th century. Although its observance fluctuated over time, by the 16th century, it was firmly established as a feast for the entire Church.

The story of Mary’s presentation in the temple is found only in apocryphal texts, notably the Protoevangelium of James. According to this narrative, Mary’s parents, Anna and Joachim, dedicated her to God at the temple when she was three years old, fulfilling a vow made during Anna’s childlessness.

While lacking historical verification, the theological significance of Mary’s presentation is profound. It complements the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Mary’s birth, highlighting the continuity of her sanctity from her early life onwards. This event underscores the belief in Mary’s lifelong holiness, a central theme in Christian theology.

Photo credit: PD via Wikimedia Commons
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21 COMMENTS

  1. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
    that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
    implored your help or sought your intercession,
    was left unaided.
    Inspired with this confidence,
    I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
    to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
    O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
    despise not my petitions,
    but in your mercy hear and answer me.
    Amen.

    • Dr. Mark Mira Valle does some great books on St Mary and St Joseph. They’re called ‘Meet your Mother’ and ‘Meet your Spiritual Father’, respectively. You can get them from Lighthouse Catholic media.

  2. we fly to thy patronage o holy mother of God despise not our prayers in our necessites but deliver us from all dangers o ever glorious and blessed virgin mary.Amen

  3. O Domina mea, Sancta Maria, me, in tuam benedictam fidem ac singularem custodiam et in sinum misericordiae tuae hodie et quotidie et in hora exitus meae. Animam meam et corpus meum tibi commendo. Omnem spem et consolationem meam, omnes angustias et miserias meas; vitam ac finem vitae tibi committo ut per tuam sanctissimam intercessionem et per tua merita omnia mea dirigantur et disponantur opera secundum tuam tuique Filii voluntatem. Amen.

  4. Oh my Mother! Your parents dedicated you from the very beginning, before even birth, before even conception! I have dedicated my children, myself, and my husband/our marriage to you! Please pour your graces out upon us so that we can lead lives of holiness.
    Thank you for your willingness, obedience, and love.
    AMEN

  5. ☨☦☩⚜⳥☧?

    We supplicate you, dear Vatican, to declare the doctrine of the partnership of Mary with redemption… In this verse of Cana wedding, Christ proclaims his mother’s partnership in the sacrament of redemption: He changed his appointed time before the creation of the world with his Father, when Mary asked for, and he returned and made the miracle, because he wants to understand us the partnership of Mary in the offering And in the hour of glory which the Father gave with the thundering voice of the multitude, this was for them and not for Christ, and in the hour of crucifixion, the turning of wine to blood which is of the blood of Mary. From this cried the Eastern and Western fathers of Mary: O partner of redemption … Just as she participated in the transformation of water to wine .. She participated in the transformation by her son, of wine to blood for salvation in love…

  6. My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and, in proof of my affection, I give you my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. Amen.

  7. 1 Samuel 15:22-24 (rsvce)
    22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
    23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
    24 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

    Our Lady of Perpetual Help, help us to embrace Fear of the Lord, and pledge our obedience to Heaven opposing all enemies who exist in preternatural influence rather than Supernatural Truth. Thank you for your heroic virtue, for gathering us to stand with you at the foot of Christ Crucified, for your obedience to holy law, for the faith and example of Saints Anne and Joachim, your astonishing parents, who educated you, loved you, knowing your perfection of humility. Amen.

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